With the status of position group currently unknown for next season, one writer is predicting the Minnesota Vikings to draft a quarterback.
Despite the 2017 NFL Draft just concluding less than two weeks ago, some people are already looking ahead to next year’s draft and what prospects could be available.
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Burke recently released his first mock draft for 2018 and it featured five quarterbacks getting selected in the first round. One of those quarterbacks was predicted by Burke to be taken off the board when it came time for the Minnesota Vikings to make their selection.
Slotted at the 20th overall pick, Burke has the Vikings selecting Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph.
The 6-foot-5, 235 pound Rudolph will be a senior in 2017 and he has been the starter at Oklahoma State for the last two seasons. In 2016, he completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 4,091 yards, 28 touchdowns, and four interceptions.
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CBS Sports has Rudolph has their top ranked senior quarterback heading into next year’s draft.
Minnesota choosing a quarterback in the first round of the 2018 draft should not come as too much of a surprise. As of right now, there is a chance that zero of the top four quarterbacks on the Vikings current roster could not be on the team next year.
Sam Bradford, Case Keenum, and Taylor Heinicke are all on the last year of their contracts in Minnesota. While Teddy Bridgewater could have his contract tolled through the 2018 season if he remains inactive in 2017.
Next: Todd McShay has Vikings drafting offense in 2018
With the position group’s current contract situations and Bridgewater’s return to the field still in question, perhaps the Vikings drafting a quarterback next year is not as crazy of an idea as some may think.