Is Jordan Love now out of the Vikings’ reach after the 2020 Combine?
By Dean Jones
Should Minnesota pursue Love?
Even if they wanted to, it appears extremely unlikely that the Vikings still have a realistic shot of drafting Jordan Love this year.
Recent NFL Draft projections have the quarterback going as high as sixth overall, which would require Minnesota to gamble heavily on the prospect by trading up into a higher slot in the first round.
This might be something the Vikings are unwilling to do given that the futures of Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman could be on the line next season. Both Zimmer and Spielman are heading into the final year of their respective contracts and if a decision like this were to backfire, then it probably would spell the end of their time in Minnesota.
There is also the number of holes needed to be filled elsewhere that will make the Vikings think twice about trading up for Love. The defense needs an injection of youthful exuberance and the offensive line’s interior needs a major upgrade after a disappointing season from Pat Elflein.
This might mean Love was never on Minnesota’s radar to begin with and any decision to move up in the NFL Draft is going to take a significant amount of capital.
If it was a sure-fire prospect like an Andrew Luck or a Peyton Manning, then this is an entirely different conversation. Instead, the Vikings would be gambling on Love’s potential and ability to make plays.
It would represent a huge risk and one that could cost Zimmer and Spielman their jobs if they didn’t end up getting it right.