5 dream scenarios for the Minnesota Vikings in 2023
By Ben Donahue
Vikings Dream Scenario No. 3
Jaren Hall becomes Minnesota's quarterback of the future
The search for Kirk Cousins’ eventual successor continues. In 2021, Minnesota drafted former Texas A&M signal-caller Kellen Mond to develop for the future. That project lasted one season, and Mond is now a member of the Cleveland Browns.
With the 164th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Vikings took former BYU quarterback Jaren Hall. Hall is definitely an intriguing prospect. He spent two years on a Mormon mission in California before enrolling at BYU in 2018. In 2019, Hall became the first black starting quarterback in Cougars history when he stepped in for future New York Jets passer, Zach Wilson, for two contests.
After a medical redshirt in 2020 and playing baseball for the school in 2019 and 2020, Hall led BYU in 2021 and 2022. A 2,500-yard and 20-touchdown 2021 season was followed by 3,171 yards, 31 touchdowns, six interceptions, 378 rushing yards, and three rushing scores in 2022.
Before the 2023 draft, Hall was lauded by pro scouts for his maturity and confidence, above-average touch, ability to work well through his progressions, connecting with his receivers in stride, and having a touchdown to interception ratio of 4:1 at BYU.
His downsides are his age (25), small size (6-feet, 207 pounds), limited arm strength, struggles in avoiding a collapsing pocket, and below-average ability to make plays on the run.
Kirk Cousins has been a very durable quarterback in his career, meaning that Hall won’t be pushed for playing time in 2023. He can spend this season learning from Cousins and gaining experience during practice and film study. Hall also has a great cast of coaches and playmakers on offense that can help him transition to the pro game.
Some detractors have pointed out Hall’s draft position as a knock on his potential. However, there have been plenty of good quarterbacks taken in the middle to late rounds in NFL history. Look no further than Cousins, who was selected with the 102nd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2012 draft.