Mel Kiper Jr. Currently Mocking Bortles To Minnesota

Nov 16, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Blake Bortles (5) passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field. UCF defeated Temple 39-36. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier today, we revealed who ESPN’s Todd McShay had mocked to the Minnesota Vikings, so now it is time to give his partner in crime, Mel Kiper Jr., his due.

With the eighth pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, Mel Kiper Jr. has the Minnesota Vikings selecting:

Blake Bortles, quarterback from UCF

Dec 7, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Blake Bortles (5) runs for a touchdown against the Southern Methodist Mustangs during the second half of an NCAA football game at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. UCF Knights won 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Depite Kiper’s belief that Minnesota will select Bortles, he seems to have a lot of questions regarding his ability to play right away or develop.  He feels that Bortles will face a big learning curve in the NFL and may be a bit of a project for any team that selects him.  Minnesota may not have the time to allow this to happen unless they bring in another stopgap veteran quarterback to start this season or roll with the only quarterback left on the roster, Christian Ponder.

Bortles does have a lot of upside and could become a good quarterback in the NFL, but the Vikings may not want to wait for him to develop into the quarterback of their future.  Kiper sees enough in Bortles to make him the #8 overall pick for Minnesota depite all his questions, and he is the expert after all.