Vikings show exciting interest in a promising young quarterback at NFL Combine.
The Minnesota Vikings are thoroughly exploring all possible avenues in their quest for a new cornerstone quarterback – including competing to acquire USC’s Caleb Williams, who is widely considered as the top draft pick.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on February 28th, Williams is scheduled to meet with the Vikings at the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine. The team holds the 11th overall pick in April’s draft, and there are seven other teams that he will also reportedly be meeting with.
Williams is scheduled to meet with several NFL teams, including the Chicago Bears (the team that holds the first overall pick), Washington Commanders (second pick), New England Patriots (third pick), New York Giants (sixth pick), Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets.
It’s unlikely that the Vikings will acquire Williams, especially since the Bears possess the top pick.
Nonetheless, the team’s exhaustive scouting of one of college football’s most highly-regarded quarterback prospects in recent memory is evident by their meeting with Williams despite his absence from any on-field activities or evaluations at the combine.
According to an insider, the Vikings are determined to move up in the NFL Draft and acquire a new quarterback.
Although it is unlikely that the Vikings will trade up to secure the coveted No. 1 spot and have their pick of prime quarterbacks, they are expected to strive towards entering the top five positions in a bid for success.
During a December 28 installment of the “Access Vikings” podcast from Star Tribune, esteemed reporter Ben Goessling disclosed that the Minnesota Vikings have been keeping tabs on this year’s selection of quarterbacks for two years.
Even at this time last year, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye were already on their minds. The team has put in a lot of effort since autumn to prepare these young quarterbacks,” Goessling explained. “If they determine that securing one of these players requires being among the top five or even two or three picks, I don’t believe they’ll allow it to hinder them.”
“I strongly believe that, considering their actions last year and the information I have gathered, if an opportunity arises to acquire a player who possesses longevity for the franchise over the next two decades, they will not hesitate. Based on what I know about their perspective regarding this specific position and their potential strategy for approaching this draft, it’s my opinion that they won’t be frugal or foolish with expenditures.” stated Goessling.
Darren Wolfson from KSTP reports that there has been no further discussion between the Vikings and Patriots regarding a potential trade involving Jayden Daniels, despite the notion being brought up at the Senior Bowl occurring several weeks ago in which Minnesota expressed interest in moving up to number 3.
The impending reunion between Caleb Williams and Vikings’ WR Jordan Addison is expected to be a terrifying experience, according to the latter.
Wide receiver Jordan Addison would be one of the most thrilled players in the Vikings locker room if Williams was acquired by the team.
Addison, who had come to USC after having been at Pitt, was thrilled about the prospect of getting back on the field with his former college teammate Williams for a season.
Addison said on the “The Viking Age” podcast on February 8, “I don’t have to speak much because I believe that Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson have already made an impression among people.”
“That would be frightening.”
