 With Josh Freeman's departure, Matt Cassel was widely expected to start the season at QB, with former first-round pick Christian Ponder as his backup.However, many in the Minnesota sports media felt that Ponder no longer was a part of the Vikings overall plans.The team drafted UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr with the 9th overall pick, and also drafted Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater with the last pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, trading a 2nd and 4th round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for the 32nd pick.