Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and Raiders QB Derek Carr were picked just four spots apart a year ago. Such closeness makes it likely that the 32nd and 36th overall picks are likely to be compared throughout their careers.
Master Tesfatsion of the Star Tribune watched all of the rookies' games from last season to evaluate **who had the better year** and concluded:
*Both franchises should be pleased with the way the 2014 NFL Draft played out because they snagged franchise quarterbacks with the 32nd and 36th overall picks. However, once you watch the film on both quarterbacks, it's clear Bridgewater had a better year. He was more consistent given the adversity both quarterbacks had to face all season. *
*Again, that's not a knock on Carr either. I came away impressed after watching what he did with the talent around him. He should continue to get better now that the Raiders drafted a No. 1 weapon like wide receiver Amari Cooper, who will be an immediate impact player. *
The biggest hurdle for Carr will be learning a new offensive system with the coaching change now that Bill Musgrave is his offensive coordinator. Bridgewater still has offensive coordinator Norv Turner, which will be huge for his growth in his second season.
Bridgewater and Carr are scheduled to have two head-to-head meetings in 2015, including an Aug. 22 preseason contest at TCF Bank Stadium that is 100 days away from this post, and a Nov. 15 regular season game in Oakland.
If the scheduling process remains the same, the quarterbacks won't have another regular season contest on the slate until 2019.
Quick Hitters:
From John Holler of Viking Update: the "**lesser period** of free agency" occurs when signing an undrafted free agent is removed from the formula that determines compensatory draft picks. The period began Wednesday with several household names like Michael Vick, Chris Johnson and Wes Welker still unsigned. The only player who was with the Vikings in 2014 that was on the list was defensive end Corey Wootton, whose agent announced a deal with Detroit Thursday via Twitter. Around the NFL's Kevin Patra also wrote about the topic **here**.
Andrew Krammer of 1500ESPN.com on lessons that Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer is **teaching** in his second offseason.
