The Minnesota Vikings selected 11 players in the 2021 NFL Draft. At least two of those players might be contenders for this team. 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 topped only by the 1,473 yards posted by Bill Groman in the first season of the AFL. Randy Moss was an easy choice for rookie of the year. Justin Jefferson should’ve been. Jefferson’s great rookie season topped that of 1976 Rookie of the Year Sammy White and 1963 Rookie of the Year Paul Flatley. The Vikings have had nice history of rookie receivers.
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 would've made this team at right tackle 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. In a little way, his being on this team helps keep his spirit alive. Zimmerman played two seasons in the USFL before he became an NFL rookie so he was a "seasoned" rookie. Matt Kalil made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2012 but I’m going with Zimmerman at left tackle on this team. The Vikings selected Christian Darrisaw in the first round. If all goes as hoped, he’ll open the season as the starting left tackle. For the sake of Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook and the rest of the 2021 Vikings offense I hope that Darrisaw wrestles this rookie left tackle “honor” from Zimmerman.
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. It’d probably just take third-round pick Wyatt Davis earning the right guard job in training camp to be paired with McDaniel. I’m tempted to swap Johnson for Davis right now.
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
Kevin Williams-2003
Carl Eller is an easy choice. Kevin Williams played his rookie season at defensive end and collected 10.5 sacks. He went on to a dominant, All-Decade career on the interior the next season. It would take outstanding rookie seasons from third-round pick Patrick Jones II and/or fourth-round pick Janarius Robinson to bounce Eller or Williams.
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. As long as Gladney’s stunt this offseason doesn’t derail his Vikings future.
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.
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