The first draft of Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has provided modest production this season. Injuries have been a big reason for that as first-round safety Lewis Cine, second-round corner Andrew Booth Jr., and fourth-round corner Akayleb Evans are currently on injured reserve. This year’s draft did provide an immediate starter in second-round guard Ed Ingram. Third-round linebacker Brian Asamoah is getting more snaps and made his first impressive, impact play on Sunday against the New York Giants. He needs to be on the field more and quite possibly enters his second season as a starter. Injuries and solid play has earned fifth-round defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo more playing time. The best rookie this season has been undrafted punter Ryan Wright. While the Vikings haven’t gotten a lot of immediate production from their 2022 rookies, I like the career potential of the young players. The defensive backs just have to get healthy. The entire draft class in on the roster. Here are some of the rookies that made the greatest impact in the franchise history of the Minnesota Vikings.
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 a 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.
Guards
Randall McDaniel-1988
Ed Ingram-2022
Randall McDaniel is an automatic choice. Ed Ingram has had a rough rookie season. From stepping on his quarterback’s right foot multiple to some blocking whiffs, he’s had many low moments. He’s also shown some potential. From violent blocks to helping linemates, he’s made scattered plays that show potential. He gets the nod on this team because Marcus Johnson didn’t set a high bar in 2005. Ed White would probably get the nod if Bud Grant started rookies.
Center
Mick Tingelhoff-1962
Mick 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.
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 was an impact playmaker from 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
DeWayne Washington-1994
Cameron Dantzler-2020
DeWayne Washington was an impact starter as a rookie. He was an impact starter all four of his years in Minnesota. I will never understand how the Vikings let him leave town in free agency. 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 was forced to learn on the run. Injuries kept him from starting every game. When he was on the field, he was good, at times he was very good.
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
Ryan Wright-2022
Perhaps there’s a recency bias but Ryan Wright’s great rookie season edges Bobby Walden’s great rookie season in 1964.
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