Throwback Thursday: All-Time Minnesota Vikings All-Rookie Team

The Minnesota Vikings made a record 15 selections in the 2020 NFL Draft. Despite it being a hacked-up run-up to a hacked-up season several rookies either earned significant playing time or were forced into it. Three of those rookies, one in particular, quickly proved that they belong. Here’s a look at some of the best rookies in Minnesota Vikings franchise history.

Quarterback
Fran Tarkenton-1961

Fran Tarkenton got his rookie season rolling early when he led the Vikings to a win over the Chicago Bears in the first game in franchise history. He's in the Hall of Fame and an easy choice here. Christian Ponder and Teddy Bridgewater are the only other quarterbacks to play significant roles as rookies. So, Tarkenton easily takes it.

Running backs
Adrian Peterson-2007
Chuck Foreman-1973

Easy choices. Each took home rookie of the year awards. Each was an immediate difference-maker.

Receivers
Randy Moss-1998
Justin Jefferson-2020

Randy Moss and Justin Jefferson each had one of the best rookie receiver seasons in NFL history. Randy Moss scored an NFL rookie record 17 touchdowns. Jefferson’s 1,400 receiving yards is only topped by the 1,473 yards posted by Bill Groman in the first season of the AFL. Randy Moss was a runaway rookie of the year choice. Justin Jefferson should be.

Tight end
Joe Senser-1980

Joe Senser's 4-year career was way too short but it started well. 42 catches and 7 TDs.

Tackles
Gary Zimmerman-1986
Korey Stringer-1995

Ron Yary probably would've made this team if it wasn't for Bud Grant's "rookies aren't ready to start" philosophy. Gary Zimmerman was great. So was Korey Stringer. His life and career ended way too soon. Zimmerman played two seasons in the USFL before he became an NFL rookie so he was a "seasoned" rookie.

Guards
Randall McDaniel-1988
Marcus Johnson-2005

Randall McDaniel is an automatic choice. Marcus Johnson takes the other spot by default as he's the only other guard in Vikings history to play a significant role as a rookie. Ed White would probably get the nod if Bud Grant started rookies.

Center 
Mick Tingelhoff-1962

Tingelhoff started every game in his 17-year Hall of Fame career. That streak started with his rookie season.

Defensive ends
Carl Eller-1964
Danielle Hunter-2015

Carl Eller is an easy choice. Danielle Hunter's 6-sack debut season earned him the other end spot. Chris Doleman would probably be paired with Eller if he hadn't started his NFL career as an outside linebacker.

Defensive tackles
Alan Page-1967
Keith Millard-1985

Alan Page is an automatic choice. Even Bud Grant couldn't keep Page on the bench as a rookie. Keith Millard was an immediate force in the middle of the Vikings line. 11 sacks as a rookie. Like Gary Zimmerman, Millard wasn't a raw NFL rookie after a short stint in the USFL.

Linebackers
Anthony Barr-2014
Eric Kendricks-2015
Matt Blair-1974

Anthony Barr has been an impact playmaker since his rookie season. Eric Kendricks edges out Jeff Siemon. It took about a month for Kendricks to force his way into the starting lineup. With each game he gets better at this job. Matt Blair played his way into the starting lineup as a rookie and became a defensive cornerstone.

Cornerbacks
Jeff Gladney-2020
Cameron Dantzler-2020

Rookie cornerbacks don’t jump right into a Mike Zimmer defense. It takes a while for them to learn the nuances of the techniques and schemes. Cameron Dantzler and Jeff Gladney were forced to learn on the run. Injuries kept Dantzler from starting every game. Gladney started 15 games. There were bumps along the way but both look like they’ll be defensive cornerstones for a while. 

Safeties
Joey Browner-1983
Harrison Smith-2012

Joey Browner and Harrison Smith are two of the best safeties in Vikings franchise history. Browner gets the nod despite not starting a single game at safety as a rookie. He was a dynamo on special teams. Smith was a defensive force from the start.

Kicker
Blair Walsh

Blair Walsh's best season was his first season. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Punter
Bobby Walden-1964

Bobby Walden led the NFL in punting as a rookie.

Returner

Cordarrelle Patterson-2013

Cordarrelle Patterson edges Percy Harvin. Patterson was All-Pro as a rookie and has been the league’s best kick returner ever since.