The Minnesota Vikings selected six players in the 2023 NFL Draft. They signed another 15 players that went undrafted. 21 Vikings rookies. With these new players in mind, here’s a look at some of the best rookies in Vikings franchise history. Maybe one or two, or more, of current rookies will crack this lineup. That would be something as this team contains many of the best players in franchise history. Anything feels possible in May.
Minnesota Vikings All-Rookie Team
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.
Minnesota Vikings All-Rookie Team
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 and the 1,455 yards posted by Ja’Marr Chase in 2021. Randy Moss was an easy choice for rookie of the year. Justin Jefferson should’ve been. Jefferson’s great rookie season topped that of 2009 Rookie of the Year Percy Harvin, 1976 Rookie of the Year Sammy White, and 1963 Rookie of the Year Paul Flatley. The Vikings have a nice history of rookie receivers. Jordan Addison and all future Vikings rookie receivers have a near impossible task of bumping Moss or Jefferson from this team.
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.
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 and the 1,455 yards posted by Ja’Marr Chase in 2021. Randy Moss was an easy choice for rookie of the year. Justin Jefferson should’ve been. Jefferson’s great rookie season topped that of 2009 Rookie of the Year Percy Harvin, 1976 Rookie of the Year Sammy White, and 1963 Rookie of the Year Paul Flatley. The Vikings have a nice history of rookie receivers. Jordan Addison and all future Vikings rookie receivers have a near impossible task of bumping Moss or Jefferson from this team.
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 had a rough rookie season. From stepping on his quarterback’s right foot multiple times 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.
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.
Randall McDaniel-1988
Ed Ingram-2022
Randall McDaniel is an automatic choice. Ed Ingram had a rough rookie season. From stepping on his quarterback’s right foot multiple times 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.
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 got 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
Carl Lee-1983
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. The second corner spot is something of a toss-up between Earsell Mackbee, Carl Lee, Cedric Griffen, and Cameron Dantzler. Each started games as a rookie and showed varying degrees of potential. Lee developed into one of the best cornerback in Vikings franchise history. He showed some of that potential as a rookie.
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.
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 got 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
Carl Lee-1983
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. The second corner spot is something of a toss-up between Earsell Mackbee, Carl Lee, Cedric Griffen, and Cameron Dantzler. Each started games as a rookie and showed varying degrees of potential. Lee developed into one of the best cornerback in Vikings franchise history. He showed some of that potential as a rookie.
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-2012
Blair Walsh's best season was his first season. He made the Pro Bowl and named All-Pro as a rookie. If only that great rookie season carried through into a great career.
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.
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.
Blair Walsh-2012
Blair Walsh's best season was his first season. He made the Pro Bowl and named All-Pro as a rookie. If only that great rookie season carried through into a great career.
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.
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.
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