NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently compared the 2016 draft class quarterbacks to recent years' selections, creating a list of **top 10 quarterback draft prospects** since 2011. The list broke down the quarterbacks' ratings coming out of college but did not take into account their NFL performances since being drafted.
Jeremiah listed Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater at No. 5. He wrote:
Bridgewater famously had a poor pro day, but then was able to get in with a team, the Minnesota Vikings, and offensive coordinator, Norv Turner, that was a good matchup for him. I think he's going to develop into a very good quarterback. Coming out of Louisville, I loved the accuracy, and the toughness is what stood out the most to me.
Coming in at first place was Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.
He was about as flawless a quarterback prospect as I can remember. He was the highest grade I've ever given to a quarterback in my time of scouting. He checked every single box.
Jeremiah's complete list was as follows:
- Andrew Luck (2012, No. 1 overall)
- Cam Newton (2011, No. 1 overall)
- Robert Griffin III (2012, No. 2 overall)
- Jameis Winston (2015, No. 1 overall)
5. Teddy Bridgewater (2014, No. 32 overall)
- Marcus Mariota (2015, No. 2 overall)
- Carson Wentz (2016 Draft)
- Jared Goff (2016 Draft)
- Johnny Manziel (2014, No. 22 overall)
10. Blake Bortles (2014, No. 3 overall)
Former Viking Husain Abdullah announces retirement
In an Instagram post Monday morning, former Vikings safety Husain Abdullah announced he is retiring after seven seasons in the NFL. After joining the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2008, Abdullah was a part-time starter for four seasons.
"I would like to thank the Minnesota Vikings for giving me an opportunity to make the team after going undrafted in 2008," Abdullah wrote on Instagram. "I experienced a great deal of growth both as a football player and as a person during my 4 years in Minnesota. Thank you."
During his time in Minnesota, Abdullah recorded 162 tackles (127 solo), 2.0 sacks, four interceptions and 13 passes defensed.
Abdullah played the 2013-15 seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bridgewater attends Trey Walker's funeral
Bridgewater was among hundreds that **attended cornerback Tray Walker’s funeral** over the weekend, including Walker's Baltimore Ravens teammates. Bridgewater and Walker played on the Miami Northwestern High School football team together and were drafted one year apart from each other.
Walker passed away on March 18 after injuries suffered during a motorbike accident the night before.
"His NFL career had just begun," Bridgewater told ESPN's James Walker. "He had tremendous upside, size, everything that you look for in a defensive back. Football was an outlet for us, so when he was out there on that field, football was a vacation for him. That's how it is for a lot of us down here [in Miami]. So he was just scratching the surface and getting his feet wet in the NFL, and I was just excited for him, knowing he was going to have a tremendous career.
"It's very tough for the community," Bridgewater added. "Tray was a guy that was loved by many, as you can see with all the people that were here today. It's a tough loss. Everyone has great memories of Tray. He was a great guy and he will be truly missed."
Adrian Peterson has offseason focus
Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer spoke with the media from the NFL Owners meetings in Boca Raton, Florida, last week. One of the topics was running back Adrian Peterson and **his focus this offseason**, and ESPN'S Ben Goessling wrote about the discussion.
"He said he's working on things that he felt held us back," Zimmer said of Peterson.
Goessling said that Peterson becoming more versatile would include being more comfortable with shotgun runs.
Peterson, who had 15 carries in the shotgun or pistol through the Vikings first two games, had only 22 the rest of the regular season, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. That's when the Vikings returned to what had made Peterson successful for most of his career, but it likely sacrificed some flexibility in the process, as Zimmer explained.
"I do think that he had some really good runs out of the gun, but he feels a lot more comfortable when he's not in the gun," the coach said. "So we have to come up with a plan -- which we've been working on pretty good."
Peterson is heading into his 10th season with the Vikings after recording 1,485 yards and 11 touchdowns during the 2015 season.
