The Vikings might not take a quarterback at the No. 30 slot in the first round of the draft tonight but make no mistake the franchise is in the market for a player at the position. The team’s draft decision makers will be looking for someone to add to the quarterback roster tonight, or during rounds two through seven this weekend, or later via free agency.
Vikings director of college scouting Scott Studwell made that clear earlier this week in an interview with Sports Headliners. The team’s short and long term outlook is uncertain at the position. It’s not a lock that Brett Favre will return, nor can anyone be sure that backups Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels can perform at a high level for the team this season and beyond.
After Sam Bradford is drafted early in round one, several other quarterbacks are expected to hear their names called during the next three days including Jimmy Clausen, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, Tony Pike and Dan Lefevour. “It’s a decent class of quarterbacks,” Studwell said. “There are some good players at the top. I think a lot of the quarterbacks will make (NFL) teams. …If there’s a guy there that we covet and that we think is going to be a potential starter, or good backup for us, we’ll certainly have to talk about taking him.”
What are the criteria in scouting quarterbacks? Studwell said it’s more than vision, a strong arm and accuracy throwing a football. He mentioned character, leadership and winning while playing college football.
“The physical part of it is easy to measure on (video)tape,” Studwell said. “It’s the other stuff that’s hard to measure, but sometimes that other stuff is what makes those guys great players.”
Studwell was asked about the likelihood of the Vikings taking a quarterback during the first three rounds. “I don’t know, to be honest with you,” he said. “There are quarterbacks that we like and a lot of it will depend on what happens with the other positions.”