2024 QB Watch

For what it's worth, the Vikings would currently be picking 20th if the draft were held today. Some of the latest mocks I'm seeing has a lot of these quarterbacks being pushed into the second round. For example, one of the latest has Caleb Williams (1st), Drake Maye (3rd) and Jayden Daniel's (8th) as the only first round quarterbacks. Penix, Nix, and Rattler they all have projected as mid second round picks. We are not going to be bad enough to be drafting in the top 10 so this might be a year to trade down if possible and still land a quarterback. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"Skodin" said:

@"Montana Tom" said: Mark me down as a Bo Nix fan. But here is a conundrum to look at.... The jury is out on Dobbs...what if he truly is a diamond in the rough and he finds a home here? The jury is out on Jaren Hall...didn't even get to see a full quarter of him before concussion. Cousins was playing the best football of  his career before his injury. Nick Mullens is a suitable backup.

Not saying that it's an embarassment of riches yet, but there is a lot to figure out AFTER this season has been digested.

Agreed, plenty of leverage to keep the costs low.   Right now it looks like Hall and Dobbs are on the team next year.  It will really depend on draft pick slot and who is there.  McCarthy at 19?  Daniels from LSU at 16?  Maybe a Nix or Penix slide down the board.  They could all be gone by the 20s.

Either way let's build around a young guy and utilize that top QB money on (2) DL, Their Tart and Leonard Williams anyone?

We are two good DL from being a top 5 defense.  A top 5 defense with a top 5 offense set (JJ, JA, TJ, ONeill, Darrisaw) can mean instant success for a young QB

I think it's possible that the Vikings keep Dobbs and Hall and let Cousins sign elsewhere. How Dobbs does over the rest of the season will have a lot to say about that. 

However, I still think the most likely thing is re-signing Cousins. Here's why: I really think the Vikings are going to be in "go for it" mode in the offseason, especially if they can win a game or two in the playoffs. this year.

The offensive line is set (assuming we re-sign Risner) and improving. The WR and TE units are the best in the NFL with JJ, Addison and Hockenson. The defense has a lot of good, young players in Pace, Evans, Blackmon, Bynum and Metellus. 

I think the Vikings will see that roster as Super Bowl worthy if they can add a couple key pieces in free agency (interior pass rusher chief among them). I don't see them putting that in the hands of a rookie QB or a career backup. I think they'll sign Cousins to a 2-3 year deal, sign Hunter and a 1st-tier free agent IDL and go for it. I still see them drafting a QB in the 1st round tho. 

A lot can change between now and then so it's going to be very interesting to watch. 

I doubt a team in NFL history has ever given one QB a three year starter money deal and drafted a different QB in the first round. Maybe not even two year starter money. Off the top of my head I cannot think of any. Your scenario— especially the three year one— seems remote.

If I had to choose between the two, as I think the Vikings will have to, I’d dice roll on a rookie before dice rolling on Kirk’s achilles until he’s 39. But if the team does give Kirk a deal like that then they should be looking DL with the FRP, not QB, though it pains me to say it. 

It happened in 2022 when the Packers extended Rodgers. And they did this even AFTER drafting Love in the 1st round. 

Cousins injury, his age, and the uncertainty that comes with it, and the fact that he wants to return--all of these things will keep his price down. All of those same things, plus the QB class, argue for drafting a QB as well. 

The Vikings also seem like the kind of organization who understands its best to give a young QB time to develop. 

@"pattersaur" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"Skodin" said:

@"Montana Tom" said: Mark me down as a Bo Nix fan. But here is a conundrum to look at.... The jury is out on Dobbs...what if he truly is a diamond in the rough and he finds a home here? The jury is out on Jaren Hall...didn't even get to see a full quarter of him before concussion. Cousins was playing the best football of  his career before his injury. Nick Mullens is a suitable backup.

Not saying that it's an embarassment of riches yet, but there is a lot to figure out AFTER this season has been digested.

Agreed, plenty of leverage to keep the costs low.   Right now it looks like Hall and Dobbs are on the team next year.  It will really depend on draft pick slot and who is there.  McCarthy at 19?  Daniels from LSU at 16?  Maybe a Nix or Penix slide down the board.  They could all be gone by the 20s.

Either way let's build around a young guy and utilize that top QB money on (2) DL, Their Tart and Leonard Williams anyone?

We are two good DL from being a top 5 defense.  A top 5 defense with a top 5 offense set (JJ, JA, TJ, ONeill, Darrisaw) can mean instant success for a young QB

I think it's possible that the Vikings keep Dobbs and Hall and let Cousins sign elsewhere. How Dobbs does over the rest of the season will have a lot to say about that. 

However, I still think the most likely thing is re-signing Cousins. Here's why: I really think the Vikings are going to be in "go for it" mode in the offseason, especially if they can win a game or two in the playoffs. this year.

The offensive line is set (assuming we re-sign Risner) and improving. The WR and TE units are the best in the NFL with JJ, Addison and Hockenson. The defense has a lot of good, young players in Pace, Evans, Blackmon, Bynum and Metellus. 

I think the Vikings will see that roster as Super Bowl worthy if they can add a couple key pieces in free agency (interior pass rusher chief among them). I don't see them putting that in the hands of a rookie QB or a career backup. I think they'll sign Cousins to a 2-3 year deal, sign Hunter and a 1st-tier free agent IDL and go for it. I still see them drafting a QB in the 1st round tho. 

A lot can change between now and then so it's going to be very interesting to watch. 

I doubt a team in NFL history has ever given one QB a three year starter money deal and drafted a different QB in the first round. Maybe not even two year starter money. Off the top of my head I cannot think of any. Your scenario— especially the three year one— seems remote.

If I had to choose between the two, as I think the Vikings will have to, I’d dice roll on a rookie before dice rolling on Kirk’s achilles until he’s 39. But if the team does give Kirk a deal like that then they should be looking DL with the FRP, not QB, though it pains me to say it. 

It happened in 2022 when the Packers extended Rodgers. And they did this even AFTER drafting Love in the 1st round. 

Cousins injury, his age, and the uncertainty that comes with it, and the fact that he wants to return--all of these things will keep his price down. All of those same things, plus the QB class, argue for drafting a QB as well. 

The Vikings also seem like the kind of organization who understands its best to give a young QB time to develop. 

Similar but Rodgers’ extensions were a couple years prior and then a couple years after the Love pick. His MVP play changed their plans.

I still contend if the Vikings signed Kirk for 3 years and made a QB FRP in the same offseason it’d be unprecendented. Closest example I can come up with is Wilson and Flynn in SEA, but Wilson was drafted in the 3rd I believe. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"Skodin" said:

@"Montana Tom" said: Mark me down as a Bo Nix fan. But here is a conundrum to look at.... The jury is out on Dobbs...what if he truly is a diamond in the rough and he finds a home here? The jury is out on Jaren Hall...didn't even get to see a full quarter of him before concussion. Cousins was playing the best football of  his career before his injury. Nick Mullens is a suitable backup.

Not saying that it's an embarassment of riches yet, but there is a lot to figure out AFTER this season has been digested.

Agreed, plenty of leverage to keep the costs low.   Right now it looks like Hall and Dobbs are on the team next year.  It will really depend on draft pick slot and who is there.  McCarthy at 19?  Daniels from LSU at 16?  Maybe a Nix or Penix slide down the board.  They could all be gone by the 20s.

Either way let's build around a young guy and utilize that top QB money on (2) DL, Their Tart and Leonard Williams anyone?

We are two good DL from being a top 5 defense.  A top 5 defense with a top 5 offense set (JJ, JA, TJ, ONeill, Darrisaw) can mean instant success for a young QB

I think it's possible that the Vikings keep Dobbs and Hall and let Cousins sign elsewhere. How Dobbs does over the rest of the season will have a lot to say about that. 

However, I still think the most likely thing is re-signing Cousins. Here's why: I really think the Vikings are going to be in "go for it" mode in the offseason, especially if they can win a game or two in the playoffs. this year.

The offensive line is set (assuming we re-sign Risner) and improving. The WR and TE units are the best in the NFL with JJ, Addison and Hockenson. The defense has a lot of good, young players in Pace, Evans, Blackmon, Bynum and Metellus. 

I think the Vikings will see that roster as Super Bowl worthy if they can add a couple key pieces in free agency (interior pass rusher chief among them). I don't see them putting that in the hands of a rookie QB or a career backup. I think they'll sign Cousins to a 2-3 year deal, sign Hunter and a 1st-tier free agent IDL and go for it. I still see them drafting a QB in the 1st round tho. 

A lot can change between now and then so it's going to be very interesting to watch. 

@"Greylock" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"Skodin" said:

@"Montana Tom" said: Mark me down as a Bo Nix fan. But here is a conundrum to look at.... The jury is out on Dobbs...what if he truly is a diamond in the rough and he finds a home here? The jury is out on Jaren Hall...didn't even get to see a full quarter of him before concussion. Cousins was playing the best football of  his career before his injury. Nick Mullens is a suitable backup.

Not saying that it's an embarassment of riches yet, but there is a lot to figure out AFTER this season has been digested.

Agreed, plenty of leverage to keep the costs low.   Right now it looks like Hall and Dobbs are on the team next year.  It will really depend on draft pick slot and who is there.  McCarthy at 19?  Daniels from LSU at 16?  Maybe a Nix or Penix slide down the board.  They could all be gone by the 20s.

Either way let's build around a young guy and utilize that top QB money on (2) DL, Their Tart and Leonard Williams anyone?

We are two good DL from being a top 5 defense.  A top 5 defense with a top 5 offense set (JJ, JA, TJ, ONeill, Darrisaw) can mean instant success for a young QB

I think it's possible that the Vikings keep Dobbs and Hall and let Cousins sign elsewhere. How Dobbs does over the rest of the season will have a lot to say about that. 

However, I still think the most likely thing is re-signing Cousins. Here's why: I really think the Vikings are going to be in "go for it" mode in the offseason, especially if they can win a game or two in the playoffs. this year.

The offensive line is set (assuming we re-sign Risner) and improving. The WR and TE units are the best in the NFL with JJ, Addison and Hockenson. The defense has a lot of good, young players in Pace, Evans, Blackmon, Bynum and Metellus. 

I think the Vikings will see that roster as Super Bowl worthy if they can add a couple key pieces in free agency (interior pass rusher chief among them). I don't see them putting that in the hands of a rookie QB or a career backup. I think they'll sign Cousins to a 2-3 year deal, sign Hunter and a 1st-tier free agent IDL and go for it. I still see them drafting a QB in the 1st round tho. 

A lot can change between now and then so it's going to be very interesting to watch. 

The Vikings have seen the roster as Super Bowl worthy for how long now and what have they done?  Happy to make the playoffs only to get smacked in the first round.

I think Cousins is going to play hardball even though he is getting older and coming off a major injury.  He just seems to be the type that will start throwing his stats at the front office to backup his request for a 3 year fully guaranteed deal.  Supposedly the reason Mannion was kept was that he wasn't viewed as a threat to Kirk's starting job so if that's the case it could certainly rattled his cage if he resigned and they drafted a quarterback in the first round. 

@"supafreak84" said: For what it's worth, the Vikings would currently be picking 20th if the draft were held today. Some of the latest mocks I'm seeing has a lot of these quarterbacks being pushed into the second round. For example, one of the latest has Caleb Williams (1st), Drake Maye (3rd) and Jayden Daniel's (8th) as the only first round quarterbacks. Penix, Nix, and Rattler they all have projected as mid second round picks. We are not going to be bad enough to be drafting in the top 10 so this might be a year to trade down if possible and still land a quarterback. 

curious what mock you have showing only 3 QBs going first round?  I am not finding anything less than 4.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"supafreak84" said: For what it's worth, the Vikings would currently be picking 20th if the draft were held today. Some of the latest mocks I'm seeing has a lot of these quarterbacks being pushed into the second round. For example, one of the latest has Caleb Williams (1st), Drake Maye (3rd) and Jayden Daniel's (8th) as the only first round quarterbacks. Penix, Nix, and Rattler they all have projected as mid second round picks. We are not going to be bad enough to be drafting in the top 10 so this might be a year to trade down if possible and still land a quarterback. 

you stay where you are and dont get cute,   if the guy you want is there when you pick,  you make the pick,  hell you may even pick up  the phone and try and turn a day 2 or early day 3 pick into a move up if your guy is falling and you want to make sure you get him.... to much rides on getting a young stud QB in the mix than to try and add a day 2 or 3 pick and then miss out on your guy.

curious what mock you have showing only 3 QBs going first round?  I am not finding anything less than 4.

I'd love this, but I think he'll be long gone by the time the Vikings pick:

The #Vikings have done “a lot of work” on Michigan QB JJ McCarthy, @DWolfsonKSTP mentioned on @SKORNorth.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah attended Michigan’s game against the Gophers, and was there early to watch pregame warmups. He also has a good relationship with Jim Harbaugh, who is the… pic.twitter.com/UDjM0LNg2U

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) November 29, 2023

@"StickyBun" said: I'd love this, but I think he'll be long gone by the time the Vikings pick:

The #Vikings have done “a lot of work” on Michigan QB JJ McCarthy, @DWolfsonKSTP mentioned on @SKORNorth.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah attended Michigan’s game against the Gophers, and was there early to watch pregame warmups. He also has a good relationship with Jim Harbaugh, who is the… pic.twitter.com/UDjM0LNg2U

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) November 29, 2023

If they're convinced that JJ is their guy then do what it takes to trade up for him. Even if it means trading multiple first round picks.

iirc the Vikings had scouts or other at the Washinton v Oregon game a few weeks back.  Penix and Nix at the same time is a good scouting trip.  

@"Knucklehead" said:

@"StickyBun" said: I'd love this, but I think he'll be long gone by the time the Vikings pick:

The #Vikings have done “a lot of work” on Michigan QB JJ McCarthy, @DWolfsonKSTP mentioned on @SKORNorth.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah attended Michigan’s game against the Gophers, and was there early to watch pregame warmups. He also has a good relationship with Jim Harbaugh, who is the… pic.twitter.com/UDjM0LNg2U

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) November 29, 2023

If they're convinced that JJ is their guy then do what it takes to trade up for him. Even if it means trading multiple first round picks.

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"Knucklehead" said:

@"StickyBun" said: I'd love this, but I think he'll be long gone by the time the Vikings pick:

The #Vikings have done “a lot of work” on Michigan QB JJ McCarthy, @DWolfsonKSTP mentioned on @SKORNorth.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah attended Michigan’s game against the Gophers, and was there early to watch pregame warmups. He also has a good relationship with Jim Harbaugh, who is the… pic.twitter.com/UDjM0LNg2U

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) November 29, 2023

If they're convinced that JJ is their guy then do what it takes to trade up for him. Even if it means trading multiple first round picks.

Agree. If it's time (and I think it is) and if he's the guy, then do what it takes. Chiefs moved from 27 to 10 to draft Mahomes by giving up a 3rd and the following year's 1st. 

I would love to know how Minnesota has their Draft QB board laid out. 

@"StickyBun" said: I would love to know how Minnesota has their Draft QB board laid out. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"StickyBun" said: I would love to know how Minnesota has their Draft QB board laid out. 

You and everyone else. But I can see why they like JJM. Similar pro offense. Has that shortstop side arm that I love so much in Mahomes, Levis, etc. Can really run, but definitely a pocket-first QB. And if current rankings hold (they won't) you might be able to get him in the middle first. 

I like JJ a lot too. He made a couple of throws against OSU that a lot of guys who play on Sundays can't make. Perfect opportunity for him to sit behind a vet like Kirk and learn. 

Looks like Ewers won't be declaring:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/39025620/quinn-ewers-return-texas-becoming-more-likely

@"StickyBun" said:

That said, I just started watching clips of this class with a much more critical eye and JJ McCarthy is the one who stands out to me as maybe being the most underrated. And call me crazy, I think Jayden Daniels really could go #1. 

I think there will be a horse race between Williams, Justin Herbert Jr and Daniels, but all will go top 5. A gap, then Penix and McCarthy somewhere later in the 1st. Haven't seen enough of Nix yet.

Watching Penix's trebuchet-like windup and release is like nails on a chalkboard, but damned if he isn't accurate. Just don't know how that's going to translate to the NFL. And has anyone ever seen him run the football? Like ever? Just one clip. Love to see it. 

I think he's strictly a system guy, but I think Carson Beck could be a sleeper.  

Carson Beck is getting some late season pre-Draft hype: nice size, 6'4+", 220 lbs. Fiery leader. Underrated quickness out of the pocket. Would almost be a perfect backup for a year to Cousins and digest. Probably can be had in round 2 or 3.