Will the Vikings Draft Trey Lance if He Slides to #14?

The Minnesota Vikings hold the 14th pick in the first round of next week’s NFL Draft. Who they add to their roster that night, however, will probably be a mystery until Roger Goodell walks up to the podium in Cleveland and announces, “With the __ pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select…”.

Spielman and his staff have reportedly done a lot more quarterback scouting for this year’s class, which means the Vikings have opened their search for Kirk Cousins’ future successor. Could our “QB of the future” really be on his way to Minnesota before we hit Saturday next week? Hey, a guy can dream, right?.

Well according to Darren Wolfson of SKOR North and KSTP, North Dakota State’s Trey Lance (who’s widely expected to go early in the first round) is absolutely on their radar. Should he fall, Doogie told “Mackey and Judd” (SKOR North) on Thursday that he expects the Vikings to pounce.

Darren Wolfson: “I think if Trey Lance is staring them in the face at 14, I think they would pull the trigger.”

— Vikes (@vikesinsider) April 24, 2021

The #Vikings are not scheduled to be at home state stud Trey Lance’s second Pro Day tomorrow. OC Klint Kubiak is said to have done extensive work on Lance (and many other QBs). Realistically, he’s not getting to MN at 14. pic.twitter.com/eg02H5lYGl

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) April 18, 2021

I doubt it

The Minnesota Vikings aren’t drafting a quarterback on Thursday. They have too many holes to fill and what’s on the line for Spielman and Zimmer in 2021 is too important not to fill them, in favor of a QB who can’t help you until 2023. Plus, the Vikings expect Lance and the other top-5 QB’s to be off the board at #14. Doogie made that clear yesterday on Twitter too.

Don’t feel bad for Rick because I don’t think he’s upset. Lance off the board before #14 would mean no pressure to take an unproven quarterback who (almost) hasn’t played football since 2019 and who’s never really proven himself vs top college competition. The more QB’s that come off the board ahead of them also means more talent falling at other positions.

Those inside the Vikings organization know better than to trigger “Bison Nation”, though. The “we love Trey” narrative coming out of Eagan is the right one to send. Having NDSU football fans in your DM’s is never a good thing. Ever. No matter the situation.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan