Lesser needs the Vikings could address with the 14th pick
By Nik Edlund
![TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 08: Patrick Surtain II #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is flagged for pass interference as he breaks up a pass intended for Jonathan Adams Jr. #9 of the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 08: Patrick Surtain II #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is flagged for pass interference as he breaks up a pass intended for Jonathan Adams Jr. #9 of the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthevikingage-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1029437856-850x560-0fb526697f4e54ec951f0c6056458ee4054d8bbcaeb49d867125c5066e55ad18.jpg)
Quarterback
The Vikings don’t need to draft a quarterback in 2021. They have Kirk Cousins under center for the next couple of seasons and he’s played very well in recent years. Sean Mannion may not return as the backup, but the Vikings could sign any free agent quarterback off the street and the talent level at the position would be the same. They could also look to promote either Stanley or Browning off the practice squad and just hope that Cousins stays healthy.
That being said, the Vikings could decide to begin preparation for the future and look to land their franchise quarterback at pick 14. There are about five guys who could go in the first fifteen picks and the ones that are most likely to be on the board when the Vikings pick are Trey Lance and Mac Jones.
Jones is probably too similar to Cousins for the team to take. He’s got an accurate arm, but is basically a statue back there, and would get killed playing behind the Vikings’ current offensive line. Trey Lance would be a more attractive option. He’s in the mold of the NFL quarterback of today, the ones who can improvise and make plays with their feet. Lance wouldn’t fill an immediate need, but he could learn from Cousins in year one and then take over in 2022.