NFL Draft 2014: Minnesota Vikings won’t force drafting a QB in first-round
By Josh Hill
The Minnesota Vikings are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback and they have the eighth overall pick in a quarterback heavy class. Common football logic suggests that the Vikings will look to take one of the premiere signal callers at the top of the draft, but don’t go betting the farm on that idea just yet.
Vikings brass spoke this week about what they’ve seen at the combine and what the plan is moving forward, and general manager Rick Spielman addressed the elephant in the room regarding interest in a top-tier quarterback prospect.
"“Are we going to force a quarterback at No. 8? We’re going to take the best player, unless we’re absolutely in love with a guy. If we’re in love with a guy, and they might go before us, we may move up in the draft,” Spielman said. “If not, I would love to move down in the draft, if we possibly could. There’s so many good players that you’re going to get good players in the third and fourth rounds, for as deep as this draft class is.”"
This doesn’t mean the Vikings won’t draft a quarterback, but it does reinforce the notion that they’re not a lock to do so. If a guy falls to them, they may consider but the Vikings have a slew of needs and quarterback is just one of many.