Minnesota Vikings Pre-Draft Visits

The 2023 NFL Draft is three weeks away. It’s the time for prospect visits. Teams can invite up to 30 prospects to their facility prior to the draft. Prospects who attend college or reside in a team’s “metropolitan area” can be given a physical examination without counting against the 30-prospect limit. A list of visits isn’t routinely released by the teams so it can be difficult to find a complete list of the events. Those curious as to which prospects are visiting with which teams are at the mercy of the Ian Rapoports of the football world and diligent beat-writers. The website Walter Football does a fine job of compiling prospect-team visits throughout the draft evaluation process. From college all-star games, through the scouting combine, and the private visits. Pulling from a few sources, I’ve managed to put together a meager list of prospects that have visited or will visit the Minnesota Vikings.

Jordan Addison, WR, USC

Anthony Bradford, OT, LSU

Brian Branch, S, Alabama

Karl Brooks, DT, Bowling Green

Mohamoud Diabate, LB, Utah

Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

Jordan Howden, S, Minnesota 

Nash Jensen, OG, North Dakota State

Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

Marte Mapu, S, Sacramento State

DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB

Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska

John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota

Terell Smith, CB, Minnesota 

Starling Thomas V, CB. UAB

As Minnesota Golden Gophers, Jordan Howden, John Michael Schmitz, and Terrell Smith probably do not count against the 30-prospect limit. 

15 visits. Three of those are with locals. It should be noted that these are reported visits. The Vikings may have visited with other prospects or have scheduled visits with other prospects that haven’t been reported. There’s still nearly three weeks between now and the draft. 

The receivers are interesting. In this draft, there are four “certain” first round receivers.

Quentin Johnston

Jordan Addison

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Zay Flowers

Of the four, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Zay Flowers are my favorites. The Vikings have brought in or will bring in the other two. All four would be terrific additions to the Vikings offense. The other receiver visitor, Trey Palmer would be a nice mid-round addition. 

The Vikings need defensive reinforcements. The 2022 defense was terrible. And slow. Cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. and edge Marcus Davenport were excellent free agent additions. The defense is a work in progress and there’s no way to know where they stand until the players are on the field working in Brian Flores’ defense. One thing that is currently missing on the roster is an impact pass rushing presence from the defensive interior. James Lynch has had some moments. Free agent addition Dean Lowry should be a solid rotational presence. I have high hopes for 2022 fifth-round pick Esezi Otomewo. Still, an impact pass rushing interior lineman might be the biggest defensive need. Karl Brooks is a draft sleeper that could be that sort of player. 

If a pass rushing interior lineman isn’t the Vikings biggest defensive need, adding another cornerback might be. If Emmanuel Forbes was a bit beefier, he’d probably be a top-15 pick. Despite his 166-lb frame, he’s one of the best corners in the draft. If he was the pick at #23, I wouldn’t be disappointed. I currently prefer Brian Branch at #23. Coming out of Alabama’s secondary, he could probably immediately step into any NFL secondary. He played safety and nickel in college. I like him a lot as the Vikings nickel for the next decade. Branch, Byron Murphy Jr., Lewis Cine, and Harrison Smith would form a versatile secondary. Of the 15 reported visitors, Brian Branch might be favorite football player. 

Marte Mapu is the most curious visitor. He’s curious as much for his Sacramento State roots as the safety-linebacker position that he played. 

Mohamoud Diabate is another visitor that intrigues me. 

The visiting continues…

Favorite Free Agent Signings: AFC

Teams are currently more focused on the 2023 NFL Draft than what remains in free agency. Here are my favorite free agent signings of the AFC.

Baltimore Ravens

Nelson Agholor, WR

The uncertain future of Lamar Jackson has the Baltimore Ravens in something of a holding pattern. Until the Ravens work something out with their franchise quarterback, the signing of Nelson Agholor is the team’s best signing of the offseason. He’s also one their few signings of the offseason. 

Cincinnati Bengals

Orlando Brown, LT

As long as he’s the quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals, protecting Joe Burrow will be priority #1. For that reason alone, Orlando Brown is the team’s best free agent addition. The signing did reportedly damage the relationship with the previous left tackle, Jonah Williams. Hopefully, for the team and Burrow, Williams eventually accepts a move to the right side.

Cleveland Browns

Dalvin Tomlinson, DT

I hoped that the Minnesota Vikings could find a way to retain Dalvin Tomlinson. Unfortunately they were too restricted by their salary cap situation. The Vikings loss is a big gain by the Cleveland Browns. They added a very good defensive lineman.

Pittsburgh Steelers 

Patrick Peterson, CB

I enjoyed Patrick Peterson on the Vikings the last two seasons. He played well. I kinda wanted him to stay. Unfortunately, the Vikings defense had to get younger and faster. As with Tomlinson, the Vikings loss is another team’s gain. 

New York Jets

Mecole Hardman, WR

Even when a particular clown quarterback finally lands with the New York Jets, Mecole Hardman will be my favorite signing for the team.

Buffalo Bills

Taylor Rapp, S

I’ve liked Taylor Rapp since his University of Washington days. I hope that he finds a home in the Buffalo Bills defense. 

New England Patriots

JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR

JuJu Smith-Schuster got a Super Bowl ring with the Kansas City Chiefs. He probably won’t see similar team success with the New England Patriots but he might find more personal production. I just see him fitting in well with the Patriots. 

Miami Dolphins

Jalen Ramsey, CB

I really liked the signing of linebacker David Long but I have to go with the trade for Jalen Ramsey. The corners are well set with Ramsey and Xavien Howard in new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense. 

Houston Texans

DeMeco Ryans, head coach

I’m skipping the player signings and going to the hiring of DeMeco Ryans as head coach. I hate that he gets his head coaching shot with the Houston Texans. The franchise is a mess. Ryans clearly wanted the job. Perhaps he’s the one that stops the Texans from continuing to be a mess. 

Indianapolis Colts

Gardner Minshew, QB

It’s easy to like the signing of Gardner Minshew. Wherever the unconventional quarterback goes fun typically follows. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Roy Robertson-Harris, DL

The Jacksonville Jaguars has spent the offseason retaining their own players. Roy Robertson-Harris appears to have found a football home in Jacksonville. He emerged as a key player on a fast improving defense. 

Tennessee Titans

Andre Dillard, OT

The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Andre Dillard in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft to be their franchise left tackle. Unfortunately for Dillard, the Eagles drafted a rugby player in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Jordan Mailata is now one of the better left tackles in the league. Dillard is still that first round talent and the Tennessee Titans might’ve lucked into their franchise left tackle. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Jawaan Taylor, LT

After failing to re-sign Orlando Brow, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Jawaan Taylor to be their left tackle. Taylor has played all of his four years in the league on the right side. The Chiefs clearly believe that he can make the switch to the left side. 

Denver Broncos

Mike McGlinchey, OT

The Denver Broncos are banking Mike McGlinchey and Garrett Bolles being one of the best tackle tandems in the league. Sean Payton has always smartly favored building a strong offensive line. 

Los Angeles Chargers

Eric Kendricks, LB

Eric Kendricks has been one of my favorites since the Vikings selected him in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. His departure was the most painful of this offseason. I’m glad that it’s the Los Angeles Chargers that signed him as he returns to old college stomping grounds.

Las Vegas Raiders

Duke Shelley, CB

I’ll go with another former Vikings player. Duke Shelley was in Minnesota for less than a season. The Vikings had trouble with cornerback consistency all season until Shelley entered the lineup. He was one of the few bright spots on a truly terrible defense. His play earned him a shot with the Las Vegas Raiders. 

Favorite Free Agent Signings: NFC

Teams are currently more focused on the 2023 NFL Draft than what remains in free agency. Here are my favorite free agent signings among the NFC teams.

Minnesota Vikings

Byron Murphy Jr., CB

Cornerback would’ve been one of the biggest offseason needs of the Minnesota Vikings even if Patrick Peterson, Cam Dantzler, and Duke Shelley had remained on the roster. The trio are now with other teams. After they departed, 2022 draft picks Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans topped the depth. The Vikings needed an experienced starter. Preferably a young, experienced starter. At only 25 with four quality seasons of starting, Byron Murphy Jr. was one of the best cornerbacks in free agency. With inside-outside versatility, he should thrive in new defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ defense. 

Chicago Bears

D.J. Moore, WR

After a year of blowing up the roster, the Chicago Bears had a load of cap space. As a result, they’ve been the most active team of the offseason. It started with trading the first round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers. The Bears collected a bunch of picks in return. They also acquired receiver D.J. Moore. While not a free agent signing, he’s the best Bears addition of the offseason. Bears quarterback Justin Fields desperately needed a reliable receiver and Moore is much more than that. He has the talent to be a game-changer. He exceeded 1,100 receiving yards in each of the 2019-21 seasons. He didn’t approach those numbers on an offensively-challenged Panther team last season. 1,100 yards should be considered his baseline. 

Detroit Lions

Cameron Sutton, CB

It’s easy to like the Detroit Lions signing of Cameron Sutton as he rivaled Byron Murphy Jr. atop my cornerback wishlist for the Vikings. Sutton emerged last season for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It feels like his best seasons are in front of him and the Lions should be the beneficiary. 

Green Bay Packers

Tarvarius Moore, S

As is their norm, the Green Bay Packers weren’t very active in free agency. They signed a long snapper and safety Tarvarius Moore. Underused by the San Francisco 49ers but talented, Moore will now have an opportunity with the Packers. 

New York Giants

Parris Campbell, WR

Perhaps not an eye-catching signing, Parris Campbell was a receiver that I had my eye on. A second round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in the 2019 NFL Draft, Injuries kept him from doing much of anything over his four seasons in the league. The talent is there. He just has to stay on the field. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Rashaad Penny, RB

When healthy, Rashaad Penny has had stretches in which he’s one of the best backs in the league. Behind the terrific offensive line of the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s real easy to imagine Penny excelling with his new team. He just has to stay on the field. 

Washington Commanders

Daron Payne, DT

There are a lot of terrific interior defensive linemen in the league. Daron Payne has emerged as one of the best. The Washington Commanders were wise to retain him. First with the franchise tag, then with a giant, four-year deal. Teaming with Jonathan Allen, the Commanders have perhaps the best interior duo in the league. 

Dallas Cowboys

Brandin Cooks, WR

Brandin Cooks has had one of the most puzzling NFL careers. The Dallas Cowboys are his fifth team. Despite consistent production with each team, he’s been traded four times. He has six 1,000-yard seasons. Why is a consistent 1000-yard receiver traded so often? Cooks should form a nice receiving tandem with CeeDee Lamb. 

Carolina Panthers

Adam Thielen, WR

How could my favorite Carolina Panthers signing not be Adam Thielen? I hated to see his career with the Minnesota Vikings come to an end but it was time. The Panthers are going to have a rookie quarterback. Having an experienced, reliable pass-catcher like Thielen will be a considerable asset for that quarterback.

Atlanta Falcons

Jesse Bates, S

It feels like Jesse Bates has been one of the league’s best safeties for years. He’s only 26. I would’ve guessed that he was much closer to 30. He’s in his playing prime and should be for years. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield, QB

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed a quarterback. Baker Mayfield was the first pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s only 27. He’s only an idiotic acquisition of Deshaun Watson from being the franchise savior of the Cleveland Browns. Perhaps Mayfield hasn’t lived up to the hopes expected of the top pick in a draft. He hasn’t truly failed. Maybe he can revive his career in Tampa Bay. 

New Orleans Saints

Khalen Saunders, DT

Over his four years with the Kansas City Chiefs, Khalen Saunders played just over a third of the snaps. It always felt like his impact exceeded that. If he can play twice the number of snaps with the New Orleans Saints, he should be an impact player. 

Los Angeles Rams

Jimmy Lake, Assistant Head Coach

The Los Angeles Rams have been the least active team this offseason. They re-signed a couple players and traded Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins. After a few years of having his coaching staff raided, Sean McVay made some intriguing additions this offseason. Running backs coach Ron Gould is an excellent addition. So is Jimmy Lake. He turned the University of Washington into DB U. If he can do for the Rams young secondary what he did for years with the Huskies, the Rams won’t be missing Ramsey and former Lake student Taylor Rapp,

San Francisco 49ers

Javon Hargrave, DT

Javon Hargrave were one of the biggest “gets” of the offseason. The excellent San Francisco 49ers defense got better. While their defensive front has gone from great to greater, it does make puzzling some of their past decisions. They spent the third pick in the 2017 NFL Draft on Solomon Thomas and the seventh pick in the 2016 NFL Draft on DeForest Buckner. Neither is with the team. Buckner was traded because the team wouldn’t pay him what they paid Hargrave. 2020 first round pick Javon Kinlaw was drafted to be the player than Hargrave was signed to be. That’s a lot of misses at a single position. I suppose if a team repeatedly throws high-end resources at a particular position, eventually something might stick. 

Arizona Cardinals

Hjalte Froholdt, G/C

How could you not like the signing of a player named Hjalte Froholdt? He got the first six starts of his three-year career last season with the Cleveland Browns. Perhaps this opportunity with the Arizona Cardinals is his big shot at a full-time role. 

Seattle Seahawks

Dre’Mont Jones, DT

After emerging as an impact player with the Denver Broncos, Dre’Mont Jones was one of the big names on the free agent market. The Seattle Seahawks won the bidding. The Seahawks have an improving defense. Jones should help. 

Flea Flicker Top 50 Draft Prospects

It’s April. The 2023 NFL Draft is less than a month away. Here’s a look at 50 of the Top Prospects. 

1.   Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

2.   Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama

3.   Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

4.   Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

5.   C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

6.   Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

7.   Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech

8.   Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

9.   Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

10. Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

11. Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

12. Nolan Smith, LB, Georgia

13. Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa

14. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

15. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

16. Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson

17. Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

18. Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

19. Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

20. Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

21. Brian Branch, DB, Alabama

22. Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech

23. Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

24. Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State

25. Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

26. Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

27. Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

28. Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee 

29. Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan

30. Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

31. Clijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh

32. Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

33. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

34. Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas

35. Jordan Addison, WR, USC

36. Jalen Hyatt, WR, Tennessee

37. John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota 

38. O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida

39. Steve Avila, G, TCU

40. Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

41. Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

42. Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State

43. Joe Tippman, G, Wisconsin

44. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas State

45. Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina

46. BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU

47. Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina

48. Derick Hall, Edge, Auburn

49. Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati

50. Kelce Ringo, CB, Georgia

Flea Flicker Top 5 Draft Prospects By Position

It’s April. It’s Draft Month. Here’s another look at some of the best prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Quarterbacks

1. Bryce Young, Alabama

2. C.J. Stroud, Ohio State

3. Anthony Richardson, Florida

4. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee

5. Will Levis, Kentucky

Running Backs

1. Bijan Robinson, Texas

2. Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama

3. Devon Achane, Texas A&M

4. Tyjae Spears, Tulane

5. Zach Charbonnet, UCLA

Wide Receivers

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State

2. Zay Flowers, Boston College

3. Quentin Johnston, TCU

4. Jordan Addison, USC

5. Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee

Tight Ends

1. Michael Mayer, Notre Dame

2. Dalton Kincaid, Utah

3. Darnell Washington, Georgia

4. Luke Musgrave, Oregon State

5. Sam LaPorta, Iowa

Offensive Tackles

1. Peter Skoronski. Northwestern

2. Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State

3. Broderick Jones, Georgia

4. Anton Harrison, Oklahoma

5. Darnell Wright, Tennessee

Interior Offensive Linemen

1. John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota

2. O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida

3. Steve Avila, TCU

4. Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin

5. Andrew Vorhees, USC

Edge Rushers

1. Will Anderson Jr., Alabama

2. Tyree Wilson, Texas A&M

3. Lukas Van Ness, Iowa

4. Keion White, Georgia Tech

5. Myles Murphy, Clemson

Defensive Tackles

1. Jalen Carter, Georgia

2. Bryan Bresee, Clemson

3. Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern

4. Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh

5. Maxi Smith, Michigan

Linebackers

1. Nolan Smith, Georgia

2. Drew Sanders, Arkansas

3. Trenton Simpson, Clemson

4. Daiyan Henley, Washington State

5. Jack Campbell, Iowa

Cornerbacks

1. Devon Witherspoon, Illinois

2. Christian Gonzalez, Oregon

3. Joey Porter Jr., Penn State

4. Deonte Banks, Maryland

5. Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State

Safeties

1. Brian Branch, Alabama

2. Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M

3. Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State

4. Sydney Brown, Illinois

5. Jammie Robinson, Florida State

Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart

Saddled with significant salary cap restraints, the Minnesota Vikings have managed to sign six new players and re-sign about a dozen players. It’s actually quite remarkable how much the Vikings have done with so little. Whether the team is improved remains to be seen. The Vikings got a little younger and perhaps a little faster. Doing both was needed. The defense improved simply by swapping Brian Flores for Ed Donatell at defensive coordinator. 

The Vikings are sitting just above the salary cap. There are means to create more cap space. They are sure to use those means as another experienced cornerback would be nice. Perhaps an offensive lineman as well. More additions will come through the draft. Until then, here’s a look at the team’s current depth chart. 

Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart

Offense

Quarterback

Kirk Cousins

Nick Mullens

Running Back

Dalvin Cook

Alexander Mattison 

Kene Nwangwu

Ty Chandler

Fullback 

C.J. Ham

Wide Receiver

Justin Jefferson

K.J. Osborn

Jalen Reager

Jalen Nailor

Trishton Jackson

Brandon Powell

Blake Proehl

Tight End

T. J Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Johnny Mundt

Ben Ellefson

Nick Muse

Left Tackle

Christian Darrisaw

Blake Brandel

Vederian Lowe

Left Guard

Ezra Cleveland

Center

Garrett Bradbury

Austin Schlottman

Josh Sokol

Right Guard

Ed Ingram

Chris Reed

Right Tackle

Brian O’Neill

Oli Udoh

Defense

Defensive End

Jonathan Bullard

Dean Lowry

James Lynch

Ross Blacklock

Esezi Otomewo

Kenny Willekes

Sheldon Day

Nose Tackle

Harrison Phillips

Khyiris Tonga

T.J. Smith

Outside Linebacker

Danielle Hunter

Marcus Davenport

Za’Darius Smith

D.J.Wonnum

Patrick Jones

Luiji Vilain

Benton Whitley

Curtis Weaver

Inside Linebacker

Brian Asamoah

Jordan Hicks

Troy Dye

William Kwenkeu

Troy Reeder

Cornerback

Byron Murphy Jr.

Akayleb Evans

Andrew Booth Jr.

Tay Gowan

Kalon Barnes

Safety

Harrison Smith

Lewis Cine

Camryn Bynum

Josh Metellus

Special Teams

Kicker

Greg Joseph

Punter

Ryan Wright

Long Snapper

Andrew DePaola

Kick Returner

Kene Nwangwu

K.J. Osborn

Punt Returner

Jalen Reagor

K.J. Osborn

Minnesota Vikings First Round Draft History

While thinking about this year’s draft, I found myself thinking about Minnesota Vikings drafts of the past. Perhaps, thinking about the past calms my anticipation of the future. Who knows? Anyway, the Minnesota Vikings have been taking part in the NFL Draft for 62 years. In those 62 drafts, the Vikings have selected 64 players in the first round. Here are those first round selections:

1961: Tommy Mason, RB, Tulane
1962: No Pick
1963: Jim Dunaway, DT, Mississippi
1964: Carl Eller, DE, Minnesota
1965: Jack Snow, WR, Notre Dame
1966: Jerry Shay, DT, Purdue
1967: Clinton Jones, RB, Michigan State
          Gene Washington, WR, Michigan State
          Alan Page, DT, Notre Dame
1968: Ron Yary, OT, USC
1969: No Pick
1970: John Ward, OT, Oklahoma State
1971: Leo Hayden, RB, Ohio State
1972: Jeff Siemon, LB, Stanford
1973: Chuck Foreman, RB, Miami
1974: Fred McNeill, LB, UCLA
          Steve Riley, OT, USC
1975: Mark Mullaney, DT, Colorado State
1976: James White, DT, Oklahoma State
1977: Tommy Kramer, QB, Rice
1978: Randy Holloway, DE, Pittsburgh
1979: Ted Brown, RB, North Carolina State
1980: Doug Martin, DE, Washington
1981: No Pick
1982: Darrin Nelson, RB, Stanford
1983: Joey Browner, S, USC
1984: Keith Millard, DE, Washington State
1985: Chris Doleman, LB, Pittsburgh
1986: Gerald Robinson, DE, Aubrun
1987: D.J. Dozier, RB, Penn State
1988: Randall McDaniel, OG, Arizona State
1989: No Pick
1990: No Pick
1991: No Pick
1992: No Pick
1993: Robert Smith, RB, Ohio State
1994: DeWayne Washington, CB, North Carolina State
          Todd Steussie, OT, California
1995: Derrick Alexander, DE, Florida State
          Korey Stringer, OT, Ohio State
1996: Duane Clemons, DE, California
1997: Dwayne Rudd, LB, Alabama
1998: Randy Moss, WR, Marshall
1999: Daunte Culpepper, QB, Central Florida
          Dimitrius Underwood, DE, Michigan State
2000: Chris Hovan, DT, Boston College
2001: Michael Bennett, RB, Wisconsin
2002: Bryant McKinnie, OT, Miami
2003: Kevin Williams, DT, Oklahoma State
2004: Kenechi Udeze, DE, USC
2005: Troy Williamson, WR, South Carolina
           Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin
2006: Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa
2007: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
2008: No Pick
2009: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
2010: No Pick
2011: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
2012: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
          Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame
2013: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
          Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
          Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
2014: Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA
          Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
2015: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
2016: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi
2017: No Pick
2018: Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida
2019: Garrett Bradbury, C, North Carolina State
2020: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
          Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
2021: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
2022: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia

A Breakdown:

Hall of Famers:
Carl Eller
Alan Page
Ron Yary
Chris Doleman
Randall McDaniel
Randy Moss
Adrian Peterson will join this list.
If I were to pick a past first round pick that hasn’t received the Hall of Fame consideration that he deserves, that player would be Chuck Foreman. There was a four-five year stretch in which he was arguably the best running back in the league. He was certainly the most versatile. He was such a fun back. 

Joey Browner and Keith Millard would be in Canton if injuries hadn’t whittled away at their career. 

By position:

Quarterbacks (4):
Tommy Kramer
Daunte Culpepper
Christian Ponder
Teddy Bridgewater

Running Backs (10):
Tommy Mason
Clinton Jones
Leo Hayden
Chuck Foreman
Ted Brown
Darrin Nelson
D.J. Dozier
Robert Smith
Michael Bennett
Adrian Peterson

Receivers (8):
Jack Snow
Gene Washington
Randy Moss
Troy Williamson
Percy Harvin
Cordarrelle Patterson
Laquon Treadwell
Justin Jefferson

Offensive Linemen (10):
Ron Yary
John Ward
Steve Riley
Randall McDaniel
Todd Steussie
Korey Stringer
Bryant McKinnie
Matt Kalil
Garrett Bradbury
Christian Darrisaw

Defensive Linemen (18):
Jim Dunaway
Carl Eller
Jerry Shay
Alan Page
Mark Mullaney
James White
Randy Holloway
Doug Martin
Keith Millard
Gerald Robinson
Derrick Alexander
Duane Clemons
Dimitrius Underwood
Chris Hovan
Kevin Williams
Keneche Udeze
Erasmus James
Sharrif Floyd

Linebackers (6):
Jeff Siemon
Fred McNeill
Chris Doleman
Dwayne Rudd
Chad Greenway
Anthony Barr

Cornerbacks (5):
DeWayne Washington
Xavier Rhodes
Trae Waynes
Mike Hughes
Jeff Gladney

Safeties (3):
Joey Browner
Harrison Smith
Lewis Cine

It’s interesting that defensive line is by far the most popular first round position but a defensive lineman hasn’t been selected in the first round since 2013. 

During the NFL-AFL bidding wars of the 1960s, drafted players had options. They could sign with the established NFL team that drafted them or they could sign with the newbie AFL team that drafted them. The Vikings lost 1963 first-round pick Jim Dunaway to the Buffalo Bills. He developed into an integral player on one of the best defenses in the AFL. He would’ve paired quite nicely with Alan Page in the middle of Vikings defensive line. Or, maybe the Vikings don’t draft Page if Dunaway is already playing well on the line. We’ll never know. 

The Vikings traded 1965 first-round pick Jack Snow to the Los Angeles Rams before he ever played a snap in Minnesota. Despite playing college football in the Midwest at Notre Dame, I believe Snow didn’t like the snow and wanted to play professionally closer to his Southern California home. 

If two can be a group, Lewis Cine joins an impressive group of safeties drafted in the first round. Here’s hoping that Cine matches the greatness of Joey Browner and Harrison Smith. He has the talent. 

Picks that thrilled me to the point of hyperventilation:
Joey Browner
Randall McDaniel
Dwayne Rudd
RANDY MOSS
Chris Hovan
Bryant McKinnie
Chad Greenway
Adrian Peterson
Percy Harvin
Harrison Smith
Anthony Barr
Teddy Bridgewater
Justin Jefferson

The selection of Randy Moss in 1998 damn near killed me.

Then, there’s this one. 
I had watched a lot of Darrin Nelson at Stanford and he was a terrific back. I was thrilled when the Vikings drafted him but my thrill was muted a bit by the fact that Marcus Allen was still available. I hadn't seen as much of Allen in college as I'd seen of Nelson but I'd seen enough. I knew that Allen was going to be the better professional running back but I did really like Nelson’s versatility in the Vikings offense. 

Picks that disappointed so, so much as players:
Dwayne Rudd
Bryant McKinnie

I was thrilled when both players were drafted but I can't remember ever being thrilled watching either play. Dwayne Rudd put more energy into celebrating routine plays than he ever put into actually making plays. For the entirety of his career, Bryant McKinnie simply showed no energy and no interest while he was on the field. He made one Pro Bowl, probably because Brett Favre made him look better than he was, and was sent home before the game was even played. Who does that? McKinnie being sent home from the Pro Bowl was less surprising than his actually being selected for the game. I've never been one to hate the players that play for the team that I love but I hated seeing these two players play for the Vikings. I was thrilled when both were drafted but I was more thrilled when they left.

On ten occasions, the Vikings made multiple picks in the first round. The success with those multiple picks is wide-ranging. There’s the high of selecting Clinton Jones, Gene Washington, and Alan Page in 1967. There’s the brutal low of selecting Troy Williamson and Erasmus James in 2005. 

On nine occasions, the Vikings made no selections in the first round. Four of those were the rough draft years of 1989-92. The Vikings traded their 1989 first round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for linebacker Mike Merriweather. That was a good trade. The Vikings traded their 1990-92 first round picks, several other picks, and several players to the Dallas Cowboys for Herschel Walker. That was a bad trade. A very bad trade.  

As a youngster in California, I fell for the Vikings in the early 1970s. The first draft that I really remember following was the 1976 draft that brought James and Sammy White to Minnesota. Thanks to the tremendous work of Joel Buschbaum, Paul Zimmerman, and Mel Kiper I gradually started to understand and appreciate the football fun of the NFL Draft.