As quarterbacks take center stage at combine, Vikings are paying attention

INDIANAPOLIS — Friday and Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine are all about the quarterbacks.

Vikings brass, including general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell, have already held formal, 18-minute meetings with this year’s quarterback prospects inside their team suite at Lucas Oil Stadium.

On Friday, they’ll get another chance to hear from Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy, among others, at the podium.

On Saturday, some (but not all) of the quarterbacks will throw during on-field drills.

Here’s a rundown of the draft’s top six quarterbacks:

Caleb Williams, USC

The presumed No. 1 draft pick to the Chicago Bears, Williams is among the trio of top passers, including Maye and Daniels, who are reportedly not expected to throw in front of scouts on Saturday. But NFL evaluators might not need to see more from Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner who has thrown 72 touchdowns to 10 interceptions over his last two seasons at USC. Williams is also an elusive runner, scoring 21 rushing touchdowns in that span. His playing style has drawn lofty comparisons to Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes.

“Pat needed some time to clean some things up and got a chance to sit for a year,” NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. “I don’t think Caleb is going to be afforded the same luxury in that department, but I think you can put a plan in place where you put more on his plate the longer that he goes.”

Drake Maye, North Carolina

Vikings scouts and executives have long had eyes on Maye, who is considered by many analysts to be the draft’s No. 2 passing talent. He’s big (listed 6-foot-4 by UNC). He’s got a cannon for an arm. He’s mobile, running for over 1,100 yards and 16 touchdowns the past two seasons. Those are coveted traits that turn even unproductive college passers (see: Josh Allen)…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/quarterbacks-center-stage-combine-vikings-212000164.html

Author : Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

Publish date : 2024-02-29 21:20:00

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