The 2024 NFL Draft is only two days away. During this time, most of my football thoughts are on this year’s fast-approaching draft. Every now and then I think about drafts of the past. Those thoughts brought this.
The Top 10 Minnesota Vikings First Round Picks
10. Robert Smith, RB, Ohio State, 21st pick 1993
Robert Smith is one of the biggest “what ifs” in Vikings franchise history. Just about every malady from chicken pox to a torn ACL slowed his NFL start. Once he finally got his footing in the NFL he was rarely slowed. In fact, the only thing that slowed him was his early retirement at 28. If he’d put up the numbers in his first four seasons that he put up his final four seasons, Smith would be honored in Canton.
10. Keith Millard, DT, Washington State, 13th pick 1984
Through his first five seasons with the Vikings, Keith Millard was on an all-timer pace. He routinely had his way with the blocking schemes designed to slow him. It was a blast to watch. 1989 was his best season. 18 sacks, NFL Defensive Player of the Year, third in the MVP voting. The attention paid to Millard that year helped defensive end Chris Doleman reach 21 sacks. Injuries sadly shortened Millard’s great career.
10. Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame, 29th pick 2012
Harrison Smith has been a playmaking force all over the Vikings defense since his first game. He plays everywhere. He can do everything. In my book, he’s been the best safety in football over the past decade. He should get Hall of Fame consideration five years after his retirement.
10. Kevin Williams, DT, Oklahoma State, 9th pick 2003
When I think of Kevin Williams I often think of a play he made as a rookie against the Kansas City Chiefs. At the snap, he flashed through Will Shields, dispatched Tony Richardson as if he wasn’t there, and tackled Priest Holmes at a spot closer to the quarterback than the line of scrimmage. At the time, each of those players was among the best in the game at their position. Shields is a Hall of Famer. Williams made each look like they didn’t belong in his league. He’s the sort of defensive tackle that the Vikings have been seeking since he departed Minnesota. Defensive tackles like Kevin Williams don’t come around too often.
10. Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU, 22nd pick 2020
After only four seasons, Justin Jefferson enters this list of great Vikings first round picks. In another four seasons, he should be in the top half of this list. I never thought that a Vikings receiver would ever enter the elite orbit of Cris Carter and Randy Moss. Then along came Jefferson. He’s remarkable. Moss had the freakish athletic ability. Carter had the hands and body control. Jefferson has emerged as the best receiver in the league with unrelenting competitiveness and technique. He’s a great, fun football player.
9. Joey Browner, S, USC, 19th pick 1983
After Joey Browner took apart his Los Angeles Rams team, head coach John Robinson called him the game’s best defensive player. As with Millard, injuries shortened Browner’s career. If not for those injuries he’d be in the Hall of Fame. Despite an injury-shortened career, he has a legitimate Hall of Fame case. Especially after safety peer Kenny Easley made it. There are many Vikings fans of a certain age that consider Joey Browner their favorite player. He was a great, fun football player.
8. Chuck Foreman, RB, Miami, 12th pick 1973
For his first five years, Chuck Foreman was one of the best, if not the best, running back in the league. He was certainly the most versatile back. In 1975, he was seven rushing yards shy of leading the NFC in rushing, receptions, and touchdowns. There was no talk of a Triple Crown because there was never a thought that a running back could lead those three categories. Only Hall of Famers rank higher than Foreman on this list. There’s a legitimate argument that he should join them in Canton.
7. Chris Doleman, DE, Pittsburgh, 4th pick 1985
Just like I have that particular memory of Kevin Williams, I have a particular memory of Chris Doleman. It’s a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. It’s a game against Anthony Munoz. Some consider Munoz the best offensive tackle the game’s ever seen. Doleman made him look pedestrian. He made a lot of very good offensive linemen look pedestrian.
6. Ron Yary, OT, USC, 1st pick 1968
Ron Yary was arguably the best offensive tackle of his era. First pick in the draft, six time first-team All-Pro, two time second-team All-Pro, seven Pro Bowls, 1970s All-Decade Team.
5. Carl Eller, DE, Minnesota, 6th pick 1964
Carl Eller’s playing size is listed as 6’6” and 247 lbs. As a little, California kid falling for the Vikings in the early 1970s, Eller seemed twice that size. He was a beast of a football player and one of the reasons I’ve been a Vikings fan since the early 1970s.
4. Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma, 7th pick 2007
Adrian Peterson was a beast of a back. One of the best I’ve ever seen. He has the greatest rushing game in NFL history. He was eight yards from the greatest rushing season in NFL history. Three-time rushing champ, five time first-team All-Pro, seven Pro Bowls, 2010s All-Decade Team, 2012 MVP. Adrian Peterson is a Hall of Famer five years after he retires.
3. Randall McDaniel, OG, Arizona State, 19th pick 1988
His funky stance was noticeable. His athleticism and ability to dominate defenders was even more noticeable. He’s one of the best guards to ever play in the league. Nine time first-team All-Pro, 12 Pro Bowls, 1990s All-Decade Team, NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2. Randy Moss, WR, Marshall, 21st pick 1998
Randy Moss scared defenses more than any receiver I’ve ever seen. Blanket double, even triple, coverage often wasn’t enough coverage to keep him from catching a pass. He’s arguably the most physically gifted receiver that’s ever played. Four time first-team All-Pro, six Pro Bowls, 2000s All-Decade Team, NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1. Alan Page, DT, Notre Dame, 15th pick 1967
Alan Page gets the #1 spot because he was a fantastic football player. He’s also my favorite all-time player. Page was the first defensive football player to be named the league’s MVP. For the young folk, he was the Aaron Donald of his day. Page was so quick off the snap. He just tore up offensive lines. Six time first-team All-Pro, three time second-team All-Pro, nine Pro Bowls, two time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 1971 MVP, 1970s All-Decade Team, NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
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Perhaps I’m being overly hopeful but Christian Darrisaw is on his way to earning a spot on this list.
Hall of Famers
Alan Page
Randy Moss
Randall McDaniel
Carl Eller
Ron Yary
Chris Doleman
Will be a Hall of Famer
Adrian Peterson
Have a Hall of Fame Case
Chuck Foreman
Joey Browner
Kevin Williams
Harrison Smith
Building a first-year eligible Hall of Fame Case
Justin Jefferson
If not for the injuries that dismantled his career, Keith Millard would be in the Hall of Fame company of fellow Vikings defensive linemen Page, Eller, Doleman, John Randle, eventually Jared Allen, and hopefully Kevin Williams.
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