The Minnesota Vikings enter the 2026 NFL season with two notable options competing for their starting quarterback gig: Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy.
Despite that, ESPN’s Jordan Reid views the Vikings as a darkhorse candidate to be looking for a new QB in the 2027 NFL Draft.
It’s unlikely the Vikings would end up with the No. 1 overall pick, which many people will predict at this point ends up being Texas quarterback Arch Manning.
But if things go badly enough with Murray and McCarthy that the Vikings need a new QB, that may mean they’ve landed in the top-10 selections.
Could they end up with a player like Oregon’s Dante Moore? It’s not impossible.
Moore went back to college this season despite being a probable top-10 pick in the 2026 class if he had entered the draft.
If he puts together another solid season, he’ll have a case as one of the best QBs in the 2027 draft class, too.
“From his footwork to his release, Moore is a natural in every aspect of the position,” Reid writes. “He distributes the ball in a timely, efficient manner with his smooth, effective throwing motion. Moore is an underrated athlete but uses his mobility only as a last resort. He has a wealth of experience with the progression-based concepts that will be asked of him in the NFL. And with 20 career starts, he’s on track to shoot past the 30-start threshold many teams have for quarterback prospects.”
Moore may also end up going too high in this draft for the Vikings to get him. But again, Reid’s premise is that things could go poorly for the Vikings with Murray and McCarthy. And if the QB position tanks, Minnesota could end up with a shaky record while playing in a strong division.
Besides, if the Vikings really decide they need a new quarterback, they could choose to trade up to do it.
It’s not the most likely outcome, but Minnesota could snag a first-round QB in 2027. It’s within the realm of possibility.
