NFL Draft 2011: Vikings to Add QBs Ryan Mallett or Andy Dalton in Early Rounds?

The Minnesota Vikings hold a dinner every year before the draft for 30 prospects they want to become more acquainted with.

This year, Leslie Frazier and company invited only two of the quarterbacks they scouted over the month of March: Andy Dalton of TCU and Ryan Mallett of Arkansas.

Every Vikings fan I have seen commenting on articles and that I have talked to personally have one thing in common: They give a preference on various different quarterbacks ranging from Blaine Gabbert to Colin Kaepernick.

And then they do something funny, they finish by saying, “or Andy Dalton.”

Well, if the annual Vikings dinner is a show of the cards, then fans and the organization seem to be thinking along the same lines. The Vikings seem to have a preference in Mallett and they agree with everyone else that Dalton is the second best choice.

This dinner may be a smokescreen for who they really like. But with the incredible arm talent of Mallett and the perceived reliability of Dalton, one shouldn’t be surprised if these two are the targets come draft time.

For Mallett, they will have to trade up into the late first round or the early second round; Dalton can be had right where they currently are in the second round if they are lucky and patient.

The knock on Mallett has been his off the field issues and the concern over his mental capacity. Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave is lauded for his ability to develop quarterbacks however, so it would be safe to say that the franchise isn’t worried about the playbook aspect since they have invited him back.

They are most likely trying to figure out if Mallett is ready to mature and devote his time to the organizations success.

No one can question Mallett’s amazing arm strength. What may be questioned is his mobility, but let’s take a look at the west coast scheme Musgrave is looking to implement.

In the west coast offense accuracy is key, Mallett has that covered. The play action pass is the next well known element. One might immediately call out his lack of mobility as a flaw to running a play action pass play.

But if you know what the play action entails and how often Peyton Manning runs it, you will realize that play action pass is designed for a slow quarterback. It’s not a method for opening up a running lane, it’s designed to get defenses off balance by thinking the team is about to run the ball, then rolling the QB out to try hitting a long pass (also one of Mallett’s best traits).

So regarding play action plays, Mallett will do just fine.

Ultimately, the team will be in a tough position to land Mallett, not having a third round pick will make it difficult to move up and take him. But if it can be done, the team definitely has found their man.

Then there’s Dalton, who, if Mallett cannot be landed is the next best choice. He is not very spectacular, but has good accuracy (a west coast pre-requisite). His smaller stature will benefit from running play actions farther outside of the pocket.

Dalton wasn’t invited to have his character looked into. No one has any doubts that the upstanding young man from Christian Texas will give his best, day in and day out, on the field and off of it. So the team must have some serious interest in him.

There is the strong possibility of the Vikings passing on a quarterback, making the trade but going after someone other than Mallett and Dalton and, of course, taking a QB with the 12th pick.

If this invitation for Mallett and Dalton to come spend more time with the coaches and ownership is a tip of the hand, then be looking for the Vikings to attempt to land their preferred future of the franchise quarterback in Mallett.

If not, then sit tight and Dalton will be arriving post haste.