5 players the Vikings could’ve drafted instead of Jeff Gladney

Jalen Hurts – QB

Jalen Hurts was a surprise pick for the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, but he played well enough as a rookie that the team traded Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts this year, and Hurts is now their starter.

Hurts still needs to develop as a passer, but he can make things happen with his legs, and he has shown no fear in throwing the ball down the field.

Hurts would’ve been a much better selection for the Vikings at the end of the first round than Jeff Gladney. Hurts isn’t facing a felony charge and he would’ve given the team an exciting young backup who would be in year two of his development.

Perhaps he’s even gotten the COVID-19 vaccine, which would have made him the top-dog on the Vikings depth chart in training camp with Jake Browning taking the second-team snaps while Kirk Cousins quarantined.

Minnesota was clearly thinking about the future of the quarterback position in recent drafts. They selected Nate Stanley at the end of the seventh round in 2020, and just last year, the Vikings took Kellen Mond in the third round to develop into the backup, and potentially the starter when Cousins leaves town.

Mond may become just that, but Hurts is already a starter and Minnesota could’ve had him with their 31st pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.