The Minnesota Vikings need a quarterback which is no secret. However, drafting at No. 8 overall puts them in an odd spot. They are too late for Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles. Teddy Bridgewater's stock has dropped, so who does the team go with? Having already re-signed Matt Cassel as a quality backup, do the Vikings hold off and target a quarterback in the second round instead?
If the Vikings want a player like Manziel or Bortles, they will have to trade up. There are too many other teams picking ahead of them that also need a quarterback for the assumed two best options to be available. However, head coach Mike Zimmer is still doing his research on everyone. ESPN.com is reporting that Zimmer and offensive coordinator Norv Turner will have dinner with the Texas A&M star following his Pro Day. They also met with Bortles following his big event.
According to Zimmer, the decision for a quarterback could come down to Turner's opinion over his. The head coach praised Turner for his work with quarterbacks and his eye for an offensive star. His resume does include Troy Aikman, Drew Brees and Philip Rivers. All three quarterbacks have thrived under Turner during their time together.
"We've been working out these quarterbacks, and we go over the offense with these players," Zimmer told, via ESPN.com. "That's actually helped. I'll sit in there, we'll talk about the offense, and after we get done, I'll ask him, 'Why are we doing it this way? This makes more sense to me.' And we talk about it. He's been doing it for a long time, so he's got a lot of good points."
So while Zimmer is loving the same three quarterbacks every other team is as well, does Turner have the same opinion? According to NFL Draft Insider Tony Pauline, Turner is particularly fond of Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd. He is also taking a close look at AJ McCarron and Aaron Murray as second or third round options.
McCarron and Murray have kept their stock high, but Boyd saw a major drop off especially after struggling in the Senior Bowl. When Clemson's season started to stall out, so did Boyd's draft stock. He has a strong arm and good mobility, but his poor decision making and run-happy feet have questions rising about whether or not he can function in a pro style offensive system.
Turner certainly knows more than any draft expert. His successes speak for themselves. The Vikings are aware they will not be in the running for Manziel unless they make a big move, so paying close attention to players like Boyd is smart.
