Almost on cue, NFL.com has picked Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to “make the leap.”
Bridgewater becomes the third and highest-ranking Vikings player picked to make the leap by NFL.com. The website ranked the Vikings quarterback second on their list.
The website says making the leap could be a player emerging into a quality starter. Or could mean an excellent player becoming a superstar.
As a rookie, Bridgewater started 13 games for the Vikings last year completing nearly 65 percent of his passes and throwing for 2,919 yards and 14 touchdowns.
According to The Daily Norseman, Bridgewater is the sixth Vikings player to make the list in the last two seasons.
Last year cornerback Xavier Rhodes, defensive end Everson Griffen and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson were named to the list. While Bridgewater joins linebacker Anthony Barr and receiver Charles Johnson on the countdown this year.
NFL.com writer Kevin Patra says he thinks Bridgewater managed many games better than a lot of veteran NFL quarterbacks.
“After watching all of Teddy’s tape from last season, there are a few traits that leap off the screen. First is his accuracy, especially on in-cutting and crossing routes. His ability to put a ball on a dime is an innate tool some quarterbacks with bigger arms can never attain. His touch is also evident on intermediate routes when he puts loft on the ball. Pro Football Focus rated Bridgewater the No. 3 overall quarterback in accuracy percentage in 2014.”
While Bridgewater’s numbers don’t jump off the page, the Bleacher Report notes that his 64.4 percent completion percentage is the third highest for a rookie quarterback ever,.
With Adrian Peterson returning to the backfield, and deep threat Mike Wallace added in the offseason to go with Johnson and tight end Kyle Rudolph, Bridgewater should have the weapons around him to have a big season.
