The Minnesota Vikings are coming into the draft with Blake Bortles on their minds and if they pick him, a trade of Christian Ponder could be in the cards and the team might have some competition for the QB, as Peter King writes that both the Houston Texans and the Cleveland Browns target the Central Florida star in the draft this year.
Bortles broke out last season in the Fiesta Bowl and scouts love his size and arm and he ended up with 3581 yards and 25 touchdowns last season and now he could be a top five pick. The Vikings have essentially given up on Ponder and Peter King writes at the MMQB that Bortles could be a fit for the team as they are looking to redshirt the QB they take in the draft anyway. King writes that Bortles could benefit very much from one year of study, as he is considered the prospect among QBs with the best tools, highest ceiling and rawest ability.
The Vikings come into the draft with eight picks in the event and that should give the team a chance to add depth at a number of positions and they also could use that to trade back if someone drafts Bortles. The team has spoken out against drafting Johnny Manziel and with Bortles as the likely option, the Vikings could look to trade back if he comes off the board. Peter King wrote that the Cleveland Browns and the Houston Texans are interested in Bortles and if he ends up being taken at number one or number four, expect the Vikings to move out of that pick.
Trading Ponder also could get the team another draft pick to use if they want to trade and they currently have two third round picks and in a draft like this it's very valuable to have mid-round picks. The team got that pick from the Seahawks in the Percy Harvin deal and now they look set to make some moves at the top of the draft depending on how the top five picks play out. The Vikings have a number of options if they want to take a QB, as names like Zach Mettenberger and Aaron Murray are available and they could be picks later in the draft.
The Vikings come into this season after being ranked 23rd in the league in passing yards per game and they also were eighth in rushing and they have the chance to improve on offense this year depending on how the first four picks in the draft go. The Texans obviously hold all the cards and if they pass on Bortles and the Browns look like they will take him, the Vikings could move up if they like him enough.
The Vikings went 5-10-1 last season and they missed the playoffs and now they have Matt Cassel coming back and a new head coach in Mike Zimmer. The team opens with a road game against the Arizona Cardinals and then the team plays three tough matchups with the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Hawks before a game against the Green Bay Packers.
