Kellen Mond – QB
There was a solid amount of fanfare when the Minnesota Vikings brought Kellen Mond into the fold during the 2021 NFL Draft. This was done with the approval of starting quarterback Kirk Cousins and his production at Texas A&M left some hope he could develop into a productive NFL-caliber player over time.
Mond has taken some significant time to make the right adjustments. There was a real reluctance from head coach Mike Zimmer to activate the signal-caller and was pretty blunt about his progress towards the end of the campaign.
It is a monumentally important upcoming offseason for Mond. He has to establish himself within the locker room, on the practice field, and also impress a brand new coaching staff who weren’t around when he heard his name called.
This year’s quarterback class is not deemed to be all that strong. There are serious about whether any prospect entering the league can become a star and this might be enough for Mond to get another shot at progressing his skill set without a new face entering the fray.
However, there is no emotional attachment between Mond and the new powers that be in Minnesota. If the right opportunity for a high-upside prospect arrives later on in the draft, they will not hesitate to pull the trigger and pile more pressure on the second-year-pro if those in power feel like it can bring some long-term benefits.