Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell watches from the sideline in the course of the first half in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Nov. 23, 2025, at Lambeau Area in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin. O’Connell monitored Minnesota’s offense and sport administration because the Vikings battled their NFC North rival in a pivotal late-season divisional highway matchup. Necessary Credit score: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Photos.
The 2027 NFL Draft continues to be 11 months away, however once we get there, the Minnesota Vikings could possibly be a sneaky contender to draft a Spherical 1 quarterback, in line with ESPN.
Minnesota could have readability by subsequent spring, although the long-term quarterback door continues to be cracked open.
Jordan Reid named-dropped Minnesota in a deep evaluation of 2027 rookie quarterbacks, setting the stage for a pivotal yr within the Twin Cities.
A Future QB Pivot Stays on the Desk for Vikings — Evidently
Again to the drafting board?
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning stands on the sphere in opposition to the Clemson Tigers in the course of the CFP Nationwide Playoff first spherical on Dec. 21, 2024, at Darrell Okay Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. Manning helped lead Texas in the course of the nationally televised postseason matchup because the Longhorns opened their Faculty Soccer Playoff run at dwelling. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos.
ESPN on Vikings as Sleeper for 2027 Rookie QB
Reid sized up the whole 2027 quarterback class and famous on the finish of his article, “What is a sleeper team to watch at quarterback? Minnesota Vikings. They are in the middle of a QB competition between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy for the starting job, with Carson Wentz behind them as the QB3.”
“If Murray and McCarthy don’t drastically improve from what they put on tape last season, Minnesota could be looking for its next franchise signal-caller as soon as the 2027 draft.”
If the Vikings want to make use of a 1st-Spherical decide on a quarterback subsequent April, the franchise can be really again at sq. one.
The Candidates — a 12 months Out
These males nonetheless have a full season of school soccer afoot, however listed below are the Prime 12 collegiate quarterbacks from a Could 2026 perspective:
Arch Manning (Texas)
Dante Moore (Oregon)
Darian Mensah (Miami)
Drew Mestemaker (Oklahoma State)
Julian Sayin (Ohio State)
Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss)
LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina)
CJ Carr (Notre Dame)
Brendan Sorsby (Texas Tech)
Sam Leavitt (LSU)
Jayden Maiava (USC)
Demond Williams (Washington)
The first-Spherical, imagine it or not, might function round eight passers off the board. It’s why everyone seems to be gushing about subsequent yr’s draft.
South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers drops again to move in opposition to the Virginia Tech Hokies in the course of the second half on Aug. 31, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Sellers continued his emergence as one in all faculty soccer’s intriguing quarterbacks throughout South Carolina’s season-opening neutral-site matchup in opposition to Virginia Tech. Necessary Credit score: Dale Zanine-Imagn Photos.
Reid on Sellers, who could possibly be obtainable at Minnesota’s spot: “Sellers is an explosive dual-threat passer with A-level attributes such as arm power, mobility and strength. He was labeled as one of the top 2026 prospects entering the 2025 season thanks to his ability to throw an excellent deep ball, but he went back to school after an inconsistent year.”
“He has a great feel for the trajectory and touch on long passes and can ‘drop it in the bucket’ when attacking downfield. His compact release helps him fire the ball into condensed windows in the intermediate areas of the field. He’s also a game-changer on designed QB runs and scrambles. Though he didn’t have the best 2025 season (2,437 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions), his traits and potential are still major selling points.”
Hopefully One Is Not Wanted
The Vikings have Murray and McCarthy in the home to duel for the QB1 job, with a aspect dish of Carson Wentz if accidents come up. Between Murray and McCarthy — each have 1st-Spherical pedigrees — one ought to emerge because the long-term resolution.
Murray has the arm energy, velocity, passing accuracy, and motivation — the Arizona Cardinals didn’t need him, and that’s fairly rattling insulting — to succeed, particularly with Kevin O’Connell’s quarterback-whispering tutelage.
McCarthy has youth in his toolkit. At 23, the man’s upside has but to shine by means of absolutely. He doesn’t fairly possess the identical superb bodily attributes, however he’s not a chump, he already appears to have the clutch gene, and he’s typical quarterback dimension, not like Murray.
Ideally, the Vikings received’t need to do severe Spherical 1 homework on quarterbacks in February, March, and April.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore walks off the sphere in the course of the Geese’ annual spring sport on Apr. 25, 2026, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Moore participated in Oregon’s offseason showcase because the Geese evaluated their roster and quarterback outlook forward of the upcoming 2026 faculty soccer season. Necessary Credit score: Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Photos.
Our Janik Eckardt on the Vikings’ want for a quarterback subsequent offseason: “Of course, the Vikings hope that conversation becomes irrelevant by next spring. The ideal scenario is either McCarthy taking a major leap in Year 3 or Murray reviving his career under Kevin O’Connell and locking down the position long-term.”
“But the organization has intentionally given itself flexibility at quarterback, and that flexibility cuts both ways. If neither passer takes control of the job in 2026, Minnesota could realistically enter next offseason as one of the league’s most intriguing quarterback-hungry teams.”
Different Roster Wants Subsequent Draft
However that doesn’t imply Minnesota’s roster is completely set. Earlier than seeing the 2026 common season play out, these are the possible long-term roster wants if one believes a quarterback received’t be wanted:
Exterior Linebacker
Cornerback
Operating Again
Tight Finish
Actually, the Vikings are overdue to draft an EDGE rusher, particularly with Jonathan Greenard now taking part in for the Philadelphia Eagles. They’ve drafted only one — Dallas Turner — within the final 20 years from Spherical 1.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
