Who the Vikings Should Draft at QB Based Only on Vibes

I have always loved the NFL draft process and everything that comes along with it. Every spring while I was in college, I would sit in the back of class running mock draft simulations, watching senior bowl practices, and analyzing the combine. I was obsessed with trying to figure who the next stars of the league were, and specifically, who the Minnesota Vikings would be targeting. This year, I have been ultra focused on the quarterback class, which many "experts" have deemed to be a historic group of prospects. Luckily for me, my Vikings also happen to be in need of a QB and have been heavily linked to drafting one of them early in the first round. I have become obsessed with trying to figure out not only which of these players has the best chance to succeed in the NFL, but also which one is going to be the next face of the Vikings.

Today, I am going to try making my rankings. Clearly, I am not a scout, and have no idea how to study the tape and determine a real opinion based on their on-field play. Instead, I am going to rank them solely based on vibes, and who I would be happy to have representing the Vikings.

6. Bo Nix

If Roger Goodell walks up to the podium and announces that the Minnesota Vikings have selected Bo Nix, I might have to find a new team to root for. As a quarterback that wears eye black and multiple shooting sleaves while playing, you are going to be held to a level of swagger that he doesn't even come close to. If my quarterback is going to look like that then I want to see him hurdling corners, getting in the defense's face and talking trash, and most importantly, I want to see anything on or off the field that shows me you're a guy I can rally behind. One of the most important jobs of any fanbase is to vehemently defend their starting quarterback on social media, and with Bo Nix that seems like a nearly impossible task. I wouldn't even want to go grab beers with the guy, much less watch him lead my team into battle every Sunday. It's a hard pass on Bo Nix for me.

5. Caleb Williams

I will preface this by saying that by all accounts he is the best QB prospect in the draft, and if the Vikings somehow drafted him, I would be very excited. However, there is a lot going on outside of playing football that just doesn't scream "face of the franchise" to me. After a loss to Washington this season, ESPN showed Caleb climb up into the stands and start crying in his mother's arms while she blocked his face from the cameras. Say whatever you want about how something like that should be perceived, but the fact of the matter is that there are definitely players in every single NFL locker room that won't like it. On top of that, earlier this week while attending a USC women's basketball game, William's was shown on camera holding his pink phone case while sporting pink nails, and lipstick. This is another case where I have a hard time believing that his future teammates are going to love it. If he lives up to the pre-draft hype of a potential MVP caliber QB, then this is likely to be a non-issue, but at the first sign of adversity, it's going to be all we are hearing about. Regardless, it seems to be pretty much a done deal that he is going to a Bear, and therefore I am forced to hate him.

4. Michael Penix Jr.

It's hard to find much on this guy. He's not very polarizing, and he seems to keep to himself for the most part. The only reason I have him so low on my list is because of the taste left in my mouth from the National Championship game. It's not really his fault; how would any of these quarterbacks have looked against the Michigan defense this year? But as the game went on, it seemed like every single play he was getting knocked down, and then walking back to huddle either holding his ribs or limping to the sideline. Him getting tossed around like a rag doll in that game, rightly or wrongly, will always be the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of him.

3. JJ McCarthy

I go back and forth on McCarthy. On one hand, he was the quarterback of a National Championship winning team, and his former coach (Jim Harbaugh) seems to believe he is the next coming of Brady. On the other hand, there is just something about him that is so unlikeable. Whether it's the wavy TikTok hair, the excessive amount of eye black, or my predisposition to hating Michigan, I just haven't been able to go all the way in on him as the future of the Vikings. According to betting lines, he is the most likely player on this list to actually become a Viking, and if/when he is selected, I will consume all of the JJ McCarthy propaganda that I can find. Until then, I am keeping him at arm's length.

2. Jayden Daniels

This guy is awesome. His highlight tape is one of the most glorious things you will ever watch. He runs the ball like Lamar Jackson and throws the ball downfield like Joe Burrow. The excitement level that comes with his game is unlike anyone else in this class. The only thing that is keeping him off the top spot in my rankings is his tendency to get absolutely smoked in the open field. I've seen enough amazing plays turn into major injuries while watching Byron Buxton play the outfield to know that the juice is not always worth the squeeze. If he can just learn to slide, the idea of watching him with Justin Jefferson for years would turn Vikings games into must see TV.

1. Drake Maye

I love the idea of letting Kevin O'Connell get his hands on Maye. I got to go see Maye play this year in person when the Gophers were in Chapel Hill, and I decided then that he was the love child of Justin Herbert and Brett Favre. Every year or so there seems to be a guy that goes from pretty good college player to great NFL QB, and I have decided that this is that guy. Beyond that, the storyline of the Vikings hiring Josh McCown, who coached Drake in high school, as their quarterbacks coach is too perfect. It's the kind of story that you can envision being told multiple times every week by the TV crew to the point that every other fan base slowly starts to despise him because of it. As Vikings fans, we are too often on those angry, jealous fans wishing we could have something so perfect that everyone else envies. Drake Maye can be that.