It’s mid-April, and you know what that means: the 2015 NFL Draft is just around the corner! This year is an especially exciting one, as there is some great talent out there this season eagerly awaiting a chance to play in the NFL. Here is a breakdown of the key points of this year’s draft:

The Biggest Story: Quarterback Controversy

This year’s draft features two headliner QB’s both worthy of being the coveted #1 pick: Jameis Winston of Florida State and Marcus Mariota of Oregon.

• Winston became Florida State’s starter prior to the 2013 season. That season, he led FSU to an undefeated season in which he won the Heisman Trophy (an award that goes to the best player in college football) and his team won the National Championship. Winston is an agile player with both an exceptional throwing ability and a unique scrambling ability. Winston only lost one game as a starter and is considered “NFL-ready”. However, questions remain about his personal life; Winston shoplifted crab legs from a supermarket and was accused of sexual assault.
• Mariota was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and was Oregon’s starter in the 2012-14 seasons. Mariota excelled in his final year, winning the Heisman Trophy and the Rose Bowl, but losing the national championship to a soaring Ohio State. Mariota has a great arm and threw for numerous passing touchdowns and yards records. He is more mild-mannered than the sometimes boisterous Winston and has a great mind for decision making. He is an exceptional athlete, but less of a scrambler than Winston.

Marcus Mariota (left) and Jameis Winston (right) are both the top contenders for the #1 pick in the NFL Draft as they begin their pro football careers. Photo courtesy abcnews.com

• Last year, the Cleveland Browns drafted Johnny Manziel, a much-hyped QB who turned out to be one of the biggest draft letdowns in recent years. It remains to be seen whether the Browns will stick with Manziel or create a whirlwind of controversy by drafting another high-profile quarterback this year.

What Will the Vikings Do?

Coming off of a 7-9 season (an improvement compared to the prior year) in which rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was thrust into the starting role and the Vikings lacked their star running back, the Vikings look to improve in all phases of the game this coming draft. After letting go of Greg Jennings, the Vikings snagged Mike Wallace from the Dolphins this offseason. The Vikings wield the 11th pick in this year’s draft, which should allow for a great amount of talented players to be available to them when they make their important selection. The Vikings might aim to to add another weapon for Bridgewater this offseason by signing Bridgewater’s former teammate, Devante Parker, from Louisville. However, more likely is that the Vikings will improve on defense by signing Trae Waynes, a cornerback from Michigan State. Waynes posted the fastest 40-yard dash times of all defensive backs in this year’s draft. With his astounding physical size and great man-to-man coverage, Waynes would definitely help the Vikings stop opponents’ deep-ball attempts. Waynes is tough-minded, alert, and versatile and would surely be an excellent addition to the Vikings’ mediocre defense.

Trae Waynes is the likely pick for the Vikings in Round 1 of the 2015 NFL Draft. (Photo courtesy 41.media.tumblr.com).

The NFL Draft begins the evening of Thursday, April 30th from Chicago, Illinois on ESPN and NFL Network. It should be an exciting one! Photo courtesy nfl.com.