Vikings Draft Interest Round-Up: Quarterbacks
By Ben Gotz
Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings have been extremely thorough this offseason when it comes to looking at quarterbacks, so much so that it was very hard to keep track of all the passers they expressed interest in.
So far, it looks like the team has met or plans to meet 13 different quarterback prospects. The only two quarterbacks likely to be drafted that haven’t been linked to the Vikings yet are Tom Savage of Pittsburgh and Brett Smith of Wyoming.
Luckily, if you missed any reported meetings or workouts, I’ve got you’ve covered! I’ve done my best to look up every reported meeting the Vikings have had with the quarterbacks of the 2014 draft class, and documented it below. I’ve listed my source when information was not reported by multiple sources.
I’ll try to keep this page updated before the draft begins in May, so feel free to bookmark this page for when new information comes out!
Of course, this is not a comprehensive list, as the Vikings have likely had plenty of meetings with quarterbacks that the media didn’t get wind of. For instance, ESPN’s Ben Goessling reported at the combine that the Vikings were set to meet with eight or nine quarterbacks in Indianapolis, but I was only able to find out five names.
It goes without saying that extra attention to some of these quarterbacks isn’t necessarily indicative or extra interest on the part of the Vikings. For instance, Teddy Bridgewater is the only quarterback the Vikings have brought to Winter Park so far, but it could mean that the team simply isn’t sure where he ranks in this class. Keep in mind, the Vikings drafted Xavier Rhodes last year after not contacting him throughout the entire process.
Here are all the quarterbacks the Vikings have expressed interest in below, in alphabetical order. If I was able to find out which team officials the prospect met with I have included those too.
Blake Bortles , UCF: Combine Interview (Orlando Sentinel), Pro Day, Private Workout
Vikings Pro Day Contingent: Mike Zimmer, Rick Spielman, Norv Turner
Tajh Boyd, Clemson: Senior Bowl Meeting (bringmethenews.com)
Vikings Meeting Contingent: Scott Turner (ohio.com)
Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville: Pro Day, Private Workout, Winter Park Visit
Vikings Pro Day Contingent: Zimmer, Spielman, Norv Turner
Derek Carr, Fresno State: Senior Bowl Meeting (bringmethenews.com), Pro Day
Vikings Pro Day Contingent: Zimmer, Spielman, Norv Turner
David Fales, San Jose State: Live Game (Star Tribune), Private Workout
Game Contingent: Rick Spielman (San Jose State vs. Minnesota)
Vikings Private Workout Contingent: Spielman, Norv Turner
Jimmy Garopollo, Eastern Illinois: Senior Bowl Meeting (Star Tribune), Pro Day, Private Workout
Vikings Meeting Contingent: Mike Zimmer, Scott Turner
Vikings Pro Day Contingent: Scott Studwell
Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M: Combine Interview, Pro Day, Private Workout
Vikings Pro Day Contingent: Zimmer, Spielman, Norv Turner, Scott Turner
AJ McCarron, Alabama: Pro Day, Private Workout
Vikings Pro Day Contingent: Zimmer, Spielman, Norv Turner
Zach Mettenberger, LSU: Combine Interview (Walter Football), Pro Day, Private Workout
Vikings Pro Day Contingent: Zimmer, Spielman, Norv Turner
Aaron Murray, Georgia: Pro Day
Vikings Pro Day Contingent: unnamed scout (Master Tesfatsion of the Star Tribune)
Bryn Renner, North Carolina: Winter Park Visit (Albert Breer of NFL Network)
Tom Savage, Pittsburgh: Winter Park Visit (Albert Breer)
Connor Shaw, South Carolina: Combine Interview (Ben Goesslign at ESPN), Pro Day
Vikings Pro Day Contingent: unnamed scout
Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech: Senior Bowl Meeting (bringmethenews.com), Combine Interview, Private Workout (Star Tribune)
Vikings Private Workout Contingent: Norv Turner, Scott Turner
Keith Wenning, Ball State: Private Workout (Baltimore Sun)
So what do you think Vikings fans? Can you read the tea leaves and see what quarterback the team will take in three weeks? Or have all of Spielman’s smokescreens left you thoroughly confused? Sound off in the comments below or hit me up on Twitter @Goatman102!