Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings: 3 Quarterbacks to Consider in 2017 NFL Draft

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:20 p.m. ET

Fansided, Justin Huffman/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

With a Minnesota Vikings offensive revamp, could Rick Spielman and company look to add another quarterback to the mix? It's possible.

Teddy Bridgewater is running, Sam Bradford set an NFL completion percentage record last year, and Taylor Heinicke is not kicking doors down yet thus far this offseason. But yet there is still a weary confidence on whether these three quarterbacks can lead the Minnesota Vikings back to the playoffs.

Through the years, Bradford's winning percentage is sub .500. He can be excused somewhat for trying to manage many putrid Rams teams and limited options in Philadelphia the year he was there. At some point, though, the excuses need to end and Bradford flat-out needs to start winning.

Meanwhile, Bridgewater is a proven winner, a calm, cool and collected player that stares at adversity head on. He led this team to a 11-5 record before getting hurt, being the first Vikings quarterback to throw for over 3,000 yards since Brett Favre. Obviously Bradford beat the mark last year, with absolutely no help from the running game. But will this excruciating injury be just too much for him to bounce back from? Not only was his football career put in jeopardy, his life was as well.

General manager Rick Spielman has to either draft someone he feels worthy of potentially running this offense if things falter with Bradford and if Bridgewater isn't ready. Or he has to sign a veteran, and the available quarterbacks in free agency aren't exactly ideal.

Here are three quarterbacks, projected to go in the mid rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft that may be worth the selection for the Minnesota Vikings, even possibly at their first selection of the draft in the second round.

Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jerod Evans, Virginia Tech

Jerod Evans fell victim to a torn ACL during his one year at Air Force and, during the recovery process he decided to transfer to a community college. After blowing up on that level, he was the top recruited transfer and chose to take his talents to Virginia Tech.

More from NFL Spin Zone

Not only did he adapt, he developed quickly into a crucial dual threat weapon for the team, and almost led his squad back against the eventual National Champion Clemson Tigers.

When listening to his interviews, you can tell he has a brash confidence about himself, a demeanor that will not bend at the knee. He has complete faith in his skills, and knows he deserves the opportunity in the pros.

At Virginia Tech, Evans accumulated 4,300+ plus yards from scrimmage, and 41 touchdowns combined rushing and through the air. Evans showed a nice finesse on his deep passes, a rising arch that usually found its mark, while he trail-blazed through defenses on the ground with his size and agility.

One thing I would've liked to have seen more was his progression through his reads. Watching tape, at least 60 percent of the time he followed his main read or went immediately to his next, but didn't examine the whole field. Evans has the arm talent to make all the throws, and could be used like Cam Newton on short yardage runs and goal-line situations.

The feeling here is that Minnesota could possibly snag this widely productive player in the fifth or sixth round and develop him if they feel Taylor Heinicke cannot get the job done.

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

2. Brad Kaaya, Miami

When Brad Kaaya of the Miami Hurricanes is given time, boy is he a dangerous thrower in the pocket. He exemplifies what a true pocket passer is and has an uncanny quick release. As a three-year starter at quarterback, Kaaya has been able to benefit from quality competition while improving his game each season. Every year, his quarterback rating has improved by a few points, along with his scoring.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem as if Kaaya handles pressure as well as many head coaches in the NFL had hoped, and hasn't picked up the ability to win close games. Miami lost each game that was decided by seven points or less, something a franchise quarterback will need to be able to do at the next level.

His mental makeup as a natural quarterback is incredible, and can read his progressions with ease. However, his arm is slightly limited and his accuracy can be a bit scatter shot at times.

Once again, pending on where teams value Kaaya, he's another prospect worth consideration from the fourth round or beyond. I have a feeling a team will over value him and draft the Miami product in the third round. Kaaya provides the height and presence the Vikings like in the pocket. But with so many needs, are they willing to take a project within the first five rounds<

Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

1. Patrick Mahomes II, Texas Tech

There's a chance that this gunslinger doesn't make it to the second round, but if he does, can Minnesota really afford to pass him up? Patrick Mahomes II is a fearless competitor, a dart thrower and an orchestra composer with the ball in his hands. But above all else, he's a leader that plays on the edge.

The Minnesota Vikings haven't had a quarterback with this much confidence and swagger about him since Brett Favre. Mahomes isn't afraid of the challenge, nor of making any throw on the field good or bad, and I love that about him.

Not only can the two-year starter at Texas Tech thread the needle when need be, he is also a very underrated dual threat option as a runner. Believe it or not, Mahomes had 12 rushing touchdowns and 282 yards rushing. He's not exactly shifty in the open field, but does utilize his large frame to push piles and defenders into the end-zone. With that said, Minnesota isn't here for rushing. They may need a potentially game changing quarterback for the right price, and that price would be a second round pick.

Now don't execute me yet Vikings' fans. I'm well aware this team needs offensive lineman, specifically interior line play. Spielman just doesn't use early picks on guards and swing centers—it just doesn't happen.

So ask yourselves this, purple and gold faithful: With no Shaun Hill, potentially no Teddy Bridgewater (even though there are videos of him running and throwing), and the injury history of Sam Bradford, are the Vikings 100 percent sold on handing the reigns over to Taylor Heinicke if the worst happens? I for one do not want to see that circus show and a potential top five pick in the 2018 draft with a prime defense.

With the pick of Mahomes, Minnesota can bet their future into a man loaded with talent without handing over huge contracts to a quarterback with a worrisome injury history and a career winning percentage of .417 in Bradford, or a quarterback who may never return in Bridgewater. Picking a quarterback is almost a must in this draft for Minnesota, though Patrick Mahomes could potentially be a game changer.