Quarterbacks -- and one in particular -- keep getting linked to the Vikings in various NFL mock drafts

With the 2014 NFL draft a month away to the day, now seems like a good time to check in to see whom the growing number of NFL draft analysts have the Vikings picking in their latest first-round mock drafts.

Sneak preview: Their need for a long-term solution at quarterback is a reoccurring theme.

While a few notable draft analysts project that the Vikings, who need a major turnaround on defense, will address the defensive side of the ball with the eighth overall pick, the consensus is that the Vikings will select a quarterback in the first round for the second time in four years.

One quarterback in particular is being linked to the Vikings a lot.

Dan Kadar, SB Nation: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville. "Although media reports may disagree, choosing Bridgewater with this pick wouldn't be a reach," Kadar wrote. "In fact, he's our top-rated quarterback. In a sense, this would be the anti-Christian Ponder choice. Instead of reaching for a quarterback, the Vikings could sit at eight and get the best one available."

Dane Brugler, CBS Sports: Bridgewater. "The Vikings have been linked to Bridgewater in recent weeks and if he's still on the board with this pick, could they really pass on him? I don't see how and they shouldn't," he wrote.

Matt Miller, Bleacher Report: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M. "At face value, Johnny Manziel and Mike Zimmer may seem like an odd couple -- but sometimes those situations work out the best," Miller wrote. "His style of play may not be prototypical, but you can certainly appreciate his skill set and the ways in which he makes a defense uncomfortable. No one will understand that better than Zimmer given his background as a defensive coordinator."

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh. "The re-signing of Matt Cassel gives Rick Spielman plenty of options on draft day," Brooks wrote. "He could replace Kevin Williams with a Geno Atkins-clone who is an ideal fit in Mike Zimmer's aggressive scheme."

Doug Farrar, Sports Illustrated: Bridgewater. "The Vikings still have Christian Ponder under contract, and they re-signed Matt Cassel. But Zimmer will still have a problem if he expects either of those guys to lift the Vikings out of the cellar in a very tough NFC North division," he wrote. "Bridgewater was maligned by many after a less than impressive pro day, but he has a lot of skills, he sees the field well, and though his ceiling may not be as high as Manziel's or [UCF quarterback Blake] Bortles', that may appeal to Zimmer, who wants a quarterback he doesn't have to worry about."

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA. "With Jared Allen gone, the Vikings are in desperate need of a defensive playmaker," Farmer wrote. "Barr fills the bill."

Pat Kirwan, CBS Sports: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State. "The Vikings won't take just any quarterback at this spot in the draft for Norv Turner's offense," he wrote. "If Carr is available he makes the most sense. Minnesota may have to jump over Oakland to get him."

Matt Smith, NFL.com: Bridgewater. "They have a Pro Bowl left tackle in Matt Kalil, a Hall of Fame running back in Adrian Peterson and two solid receivers," he wrote. "The need is a quarterback who is able to navigate all of those tools as efficiently as possible."