The Minnesota Vikings are likely to draft a quarterback in the 2023 NFL draft. They need to find a quarterback of the future and Kirk Cousins is set to be a free agent after the season.
There are a few options out there at the position and we highlighted some of them last week. The Vikings have 4-5 options they could take in the first round with Will Levis and Hendon Hooker being the most likely options.
There are some in the fanbase that are weary of drafting a quarterback in the first round, especially if it involves a trade up. Who can blame them? The Vikings haven’t prioritized the position and the last five quarterbacks that they drafted have all busted in some way, shape or form.
When taking a look at the history of the position, I looked at it from 1980 on. Fran Tarkenton is the only true franchise quarterback that the Vikings have had with the only other debatable players being Daunte Culpepper and Cousins.
As I dove into the research, it was startling how little the Vikings have put into the position over the years. It’s especially alarming because they haven’t had that true franchise guy in over 40 years. Let’s take a deep dive.