The Minnesota Vikings are looking at QBs and that means a Christian Ponder trade could be coming in the future, as Zach Mettenberger and Teddy Bridgewater are getting close looks from the team, while names like Johnny Manziel, Aaron Murray and AJ McCarron also could be in the mix for Mike Zimmer heading into the NFL draft in May.
The Vikings signed back Matt Cassel to a two years deal this offseason after he opted out of his deal with the team and he likely will be the starter, while Ponder right now is stuck in the middle. The team could use him as the backup, but after being a first round pick he has been nothing but a disappointment and if Zimmer goes with another quarterback at some point in the draft, there is a good chance that Ponder could get traded elsewhere, including a team like the Cleveland Browns or Houston Texans, who are also looking for quarterbacks. Zimmer made some comments about Manziel that makes it look like the team won't draft him, but for all anyone knows that could be a smokescreen for the team.
Manziel, Bridgewater and Blake Bortles are being looked at as the top three quarterbacks in the draft and the consensus feels that at least one of those names will be gone by the top four picks. The Texans have been linked with everyone so far, while the Jaguars and the Browns have the chance to take one of those names as well. The Vikings may avoid taking a QB with their first pick in the draft and that means names like Derek Carr, Mettenberger and McCarron as well as Murray could be in the mix later on in the second round or even deeper in the draft, as this class is fairly deep this year at the position.
According to ESPN.com, the Vikings will be meeting with Bridgewater and working him out and with new offensive coordinator Norv Turner coming in, he could have the chance to develop a new quarterback while Cassel starts this season. Bridgewater was considered the most pro-ready coming out of college, but after his so-so pro day he may slip a bit in the draft. Bridgewater had nearly 4,000 yards and over 30 touchdowns last season and he was very accurate as well and that is one reason why many expect him to be a top 10 pick.
The Vikings are also meeting with Mettenberger and have watched him work out and there is a good chance he will be around later in the draft since he is coming off of an injury. The number eight pick isn't an option for him, but the Vikings may think about grabbing him with the number 40 overall pick.
