ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando recently released his rankings for all 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL. These rankings were put together based on a voting panel of 35 league insiders (coaches, evaluators, GMs, etc.) and split the 32 quarterbacks into tiers (one through four). Second-year Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater came in at No. 23.
"I think he is a 3 right now," a personnel director told Sando. "He has a lot of confidence, some mobility, some little traits that you like. I just do not think he has a lot of a lot of those traits. He will flash 2, never be a 1 and settle in at being a 3, needing good people around him. He is one of those guys who is a jack of all trades, master of none."
Bridgewater completed 64.4 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,919 yards with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 13 games last season. He also ran the ball 47 times for 209 yards (4.4 YPC) and one score. Over the last five games of the season, Bridgewater completed more than 70 percent of his passes while compiling a 8:5 TD-to-INT ratio. His strong finish has many believing he is headed for a breakout season in 2015.
However, some are not as convinced.
"I question his accuracy," another personnel director said. "Ten-plus yards down the field and in tight windows with the game on the line, I'm not sure. If you scheme it up and have a great run game with a top offensive coordinator, he is good. I don't know if he can ever put it on his back. You did not see it in college.
"I watched the Detroit game and he threw two picks that really cost them the game. He had to make a throw into a tight window. He does have poise. He makes pretty good decisions with the ball. He has some things you like and with the right offense and coordinator, you can win with him. He is very similar to the kid in Cincinnati, and that is OK. You get to 10 wins in this freaking league, you are making a lot of money."
Bridgewater won't be expected to do it all himself in 2015. With the return of running back Adrian Peterson and the addition of speedy wide receiver Mike Wallace, the young signal-caller should have enough talent around him to lean on his teammates. Whether that will be enough to get the Vikings into the playoffs remains to be seen.
