Vikings targeted this QB class

[MaroonBells]

VikingzFanPage@vikingzfanpage
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The [url=https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vikings?src=hashtag_click]#Vikings have “pinpointed” this year’s QB class for a long time, @DWolfsonKSTP mentioned on @SKORNorth

Minnesota started to do homework on this years QB class 2 years ago. Kwesi has attended practices, games, and spoke to a lot of people to the point that they are fully prepared to make a very smart decision at QB. Kwesi at today’s press conference: “We know these guys (quarterbacks) well, dating back to since we (Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi) got here."

[NorseFeathers]

Two years waiting on the dance. Now hopefully he can find a dance partner.

[Kentis]

• Wait, what? Wouldn’t this notion imply they had/have a plan…!? 
  

[JR44]

Interesting, considering the situation with Kirk when they took over it was really smart for them to start the process immediately. It also makes sense why they would like Maye so much, since he had an amazing year during when they first started doing their research.

[StickierBuns]

Due diligence. One thing I do believe: they like more than one guy.

Don't be surprised if its Penix. Here's one thing to keep mind that KOC loves about him: he's got a short memory, doesn't let a setback affect the next play. He can also layer his throws....that's big in the NFL. Just sayin'.

[MaroonBells]

Interesting, considering the situation with Kirk when they took over it was really smart for them to start the process immediately.  It also makes sense why they would like Maye so much, since he had an amazing year during when they first started doing their research.

That's actually a really good point.

[PurplePastor]

That's actually a really good point.

You say that like you're surprised. 

[purplefaithful]

The past two years, and their hesitancy to commit to quarterback Kirk Cousins long-term in contract negotiations, occurred under the backdrop of this heralded quarterback class arriving in the NFL draft's first round on April 25.

The Vikings, who currently have two first-round picks at No. 11 and No. 23, are nearing the end of that process with cross-country flights for private workouts and pro days over the past month. 

According to Adofo-Mensah, they have emerged feeling there are multiple players worthy of becoming the Vikings' next franchise quarterback.

"We've kind of felt that way for a long time," he said Thursday.

"There are multiple guys that we are in love with," he added. "But there's also other guys that we are in love with … if we get them at a certain value."

Adofo-Mensah has talked as if the Vikings have many first-round grades on passers in this class.

How many, Kwesi?

"I wish I could give you that answer," he said. "That would make my phone calls a little tougher."

While the Vikings are expected to be aggressive in the first round, Adofo-Mensah reiterated they have not locked into one quarterback. 

He said coaches and evaluators are comfortable leaving a deal on the table if the requested draft picks stockpile beyond their "walkaway price."

"I do think you're supposed to price in, you know, a little bit of irrationality," Adofo-Mensah said. "But then really, it's always about walkaway prices. And walkaway prices, to me, are meaningful because it's another action. Your only leverage in the negotiation is your willingness to do something else."

He also noted that "if the guy's got less ability, but we have assets to go get [help], those things add up, too."

"We've seen them throw," Adofo-Mensah said. "We've known about them for years and gotten their character [information]. … It's not just maybe the names everybody is thinking of. It's a lot — it's everybody."

"One of the great things we probably learned from our meetings is that we saw a lot of great leaders, and none of them were the same," he added. "And that's OK. You know, you can be the quiet leader; you can be the fiery leader; you can be the lead-by-example guy. It doesn't matter, but I do think there's an intangible sense that's needed."

What are the Vikings looking for? 

Processing and accuracy are among the more important traits, Adofo-Mensah said, as well as the ability to "overcome some stuff," including "a dirty pocket." He mentioned intangibles such as leadership and the ability to learn, both of which the team has tried to evaluate during the interview process.

Adofo-Mensah has been instrumental in structuring head-coaching searches both for the 49ers and Vikings, though he's leaned on O'Connell, the offensive schemer and former NFL quarterback, in this process.

"A lot of it came from Kevin," Adofo-Mensah said. "Since we got here, Kevin's really been adamant about, when you select a quarterback, it's about — it's a marriage. It's that serious, and that level of commitment and work that should go into it."
He added that his contributions have come in "how we measure and process things. But Kevin's been really a big driver of this process and having completed it, I completely see why, and it's been a great value."

Adofo-Mensah was asked if there is a scenario where the Vikings don't draft a quarterback.

"I mean, you have to be ready for everything," he said. "It's a very deep [quarterback] class. So, you know — but I do think you have to be ready for every scenario. If there's elite players at premium positions on the board, I don't think you're supposed to reach or force or anything like that. It's just not what I believe all the while understanding that [quarterback] is the most important position in the sport. So, it's calculating both those things at the same time."

https://www.startribune.com/vikings-gm-k...600358202/

[MaroonBells]

Kwesi's comments are interesting...

• There are multiple quarterbacks in this draft that the #Vikings are in love with — and others that they could be in love with at a certain value

Reckless Speculation: Vikings like Daniels and Maye between 2 and 5, JJM between 5 and 11, Penix at 11 and Nix at 23?

• They have "insurance" if a team doesn't pick up the phone to possibly trade up.

Reckless Speculation: Vikings like QBs beyond the top 4? Or is a trade for a veteran possible? 

• "If the guy's got less ability, but we have assets to go get [help], those things add up, too."

Reckless Speculation: No freaking clue what this means. 

• "It's a very deep [quarterback] class. So, you know — but I do think you have to be ready for every scenario. If there's elite players at premium positions on the board, I don't think you're supposed to reach or force or anything like that. It's just not what I believe all the while understanding that [quarterback] is the most important position in the sport."

Reckless Speculation: If the Vikings are unable to trade up and the top 4 QBs are off the board at 11, they won't hesitate to take Byron Murphy, an Edge or a Corner and maneuver into a QB between 12 and 23. 

[comet52]

Todd McShay said on the Ryen Russillo podcast that “there is not a single person in the league, evaluators, scouts, directors or GM’s that have a first round grade on Bo Nix.”

The Vikings aren't taking Bo Nix.