Fansided

NFL mock draft: Don’t mess with Texas

By Brad Weiss

Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 32
Next
Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
8

Andy Dalton

Quarterback, Katy, Texas

The Minnesota Vikings found themselves outside of the playoffs once again in 2017, as Sam Bradford proved to be an inconsistent quarterback in his second season with the team. With still no word as to whether or not Teddy Bridgewater will ever be fully-healthy, the Vikings turned to a new signal-caller in the 2018 NFL Draft. That man is Andy Dalton, who will be playing for a team not named the Cincinnati Bengals for the first time in his career.

It has been an interesting career for Dalton, who plays well enough to win game, but not big ones. In Minnesota, he will enjoy having Dalvin Cook behind him in the backfield, as the second-year man out of Florida State played very well as a rookie in 2017. The trio of Stefon Diggs, Adam Theilen, and Laquon Treadwell will also see a boost in production with Dalton getting them the ball, as he is a much better passer than Bradford.

The NFC North was dominated by the Green Bay Packers in 2017, as they were the only team in the division to reach the playoffs. The Detroit Lions took a step backwards in 2017, and with Dalton under center, the Vikings just may be the second-best team in the division now. If Cook continues to get better at running back, the Vikings could be a team to beat in the NFC very soon.

Dalton should thrive in the change of scenery, as now the Bengals will head into 2018 with a new quarterback, and head coach. While he will certainly miss A.J. Green, there is arguably more talent at wide receiver in Minnesota as a whole, making it a better situation for Dalton in the long run.

Home/NFL