Jan 1, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Central Florida Knights quarterback Blake Bortles (5) against the Baylor Bears during the Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Central Florida defeated Baylor 52-42. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It may seem that the Vikings have already made up their minds to draft Teddy Bridgewater, but draftnik par excellence Mel Kiper doesn’t necessarily see it shaking out that way.
In his latest mock draft, Kiper has the Vikings going with a different quarterback altogether. He has them taking UCF prospect Blake Bortles.
“I do believe Bortles has a high ceiling because he’s a pretty special athlete with some really good instincts for the position; his pocket movement in particular is really impressive. When you consider his development trajectory, there’s a lot to be excited about,” Kiper said in breaking down the Bortles selection.
Recent rumors had the Vikings loving Bortles so much they would be willing to trade up to #2 to make him their quarterback.
None of this really jibes with the impression we’ve been getting that Teddy Bridgewater has virtually already been drafted by the Vikings.
Of course, we’re still several weeks away from the draft itself and this latest mock will not be Kiper’s last.
Kiper in the past has saved his true opinions for the final mock. Two years ago he gave Matt Kalil, Harrison Smith and Josh Robinson to the Vikings in his last mock, and was dead on.
It’s Bortles today, but we’ll see who Kiper has going to the Vikings with his last pre-draft projection. That will be the one he’s submitting as his official mock.
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