The NFL Scouting Combine is continuing this week in Indianapolis and with it brings prospects that would look great in a Minnesota Vikings uniform. One interesting tidbit that has come out involves quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo from Eastern Illinois. Former Colts general manager Bill Polian said on ESPN Tuesday that he thinks Garoppolo will end up being a first-round pick. That should have set off some alarm bells inside the Vikings’ complex. Minnesota needs a lot of help but may need to move back into the first round to get Garoppolo if that is the plan.
The Vikings have the No. 40 overall pick to go with their No. 8 overall pick. By the time the Vikings are on the clock in May, it is likely that three or four quarterbacks are going to be off the board already. They can’t afford to be taking a quarterback at that spot but finding a way to get Garoppolo, who is familiar with dealing with weather conditions in the Midwest, wouldn’t be a bad place to start. There are obviously some things that he needs to work on before he hits the field at the pro level but what more can the Vikings ask for?
This is a 6-2, 222 pound strong-armed quarterback who will need some seasonings but should be on the field from day one of the 2014 season. There are many experts who think that drafting him early on will be a bad idea. There could be quarterbacks like Derek Carr still on the board late in round one or the team could wait until the third or fourth round and go after someone like Aaron Murray. That is something that will come out in the end but the Vikings may need to go after a very decisive move and that would mean trying to get back into the first round to get Garoppolo. It could be a building block towards the team’s future where the Vikings can build around him and Cordarrelle Patterson. Rick Spielman, Mike Zimmer and company have a lot of decisions to before the draft begins on May 8. The team's long term future could depend on getting a young quarterback in this year's draft.
