ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports that Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will visit the Vikings on Monday and Tuesday of next week.
Details on the visit are unclear, although Ben Goessling writes that it’s possible Bridgewater will be attending Minnesota’s top 30 prospects event – an annual gathering of 30 players the Vikings want to learn more about. Safety Harrison Smith is a prime example of a player who didn’t get invited but was still drafted by the Vikings; so invitations don’t necessarily indicate a greater interest in a player.
Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles, Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr and LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger haven’t been invited to the top 30 prospects event.
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, offensive coordinator Norv Turner and general manager Rick Spielman attended and met privately with Bridgewater following his pro-day workout at Louisville on March 17. While Bridgewater was widely accused of a poor performance at his pro day, Turner told NFL Media’s Gil Brandt that he thought Bridgewater was “pretty good.”
Turner, though, has raved about quite a few quarterbacks. He called Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel “amazingly accurate” and said Carr was “very impressive” at his pro day.
Bridgewater, Bortles, Manziel and Carr seem to be the media’s consensus top four quarterbacks. Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman reported earlier this week that Bridgewater is still in play as the potential No. 1 overall pick.
Minnesota has met privately with Bridgewater, Manziel, Bortles, Carr and Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron, and they plan to meet with Mettenberger Wednesday afternoon.
As the Star Tribune notes, Bridgewater’s name has been linked to the Vikings in five respected mock drafts. It doesn’t mean a lot, but the connection is definitely interesting.
The NFL Draft will be held in New York City May 8-10.
