Here's one look at the best rookies at each position in the 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. That makes the choice even easier.
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
Sammy White-1976
More easy choices. Two more rookie of the year winners. Randy Moss and Sammy White combined for 27 touchdowns and 2219 yards in their first NFL seasons.
Tight end
Joe Senser-1980
Joe Senser's 4-year career was way too short. It started well. 42 catches and 7 TDs. Irv Smith Jr. might has the potential to top those numbers this season.
Tackles
Gary Zimmerman-1986
Korey Stringer-1995
Ron Yary probably would have made this team 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 ended way too soon.
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.
Center
Mick Tingelhoff-1962
Mick Tingelhoff started every game in his 17-year Hall of Fame career. That streak started with his rookie season. Current rookie Garrett Bradbury will have the opportunity to unseat Tingelhoff on this team. He's already been named the starting center.
Defensive ends
Carl Eller-1964
Dan Hultz-1963
Carl Eller is an easy choice. Dan Hultz's best season was his first season. He recovered an NFL record nine fumbles. A record that still stands. Chris Doleman would be paired with Eller if he hadn't started his NFL career as an outside linebacker.
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.
Linebackers
Anthony Barr-2014
Jeff Siemon-1972
Matt Blair-1974
Anthony Barr's career is still rolling and has been terrific from the start. Jeff Siemon was another rookie that Grant decided, probably reluctantly, to play. So was Matt Blair.
Cornerbacks
Xavier Rhodes-2013
DeWayne Washington-1983
Rookie corners haven't made much of an impact on Vikings defenses. Perhaps that's because the team has so rarely spent top picks on the position. Through the first 53 drafts in Vikings franchise history DeWayne Washington and Xavier Rhodes were the only two corners selected in the first round.
Safeties
Joey Browner-1983
Harrison Smith-2012
Paul Krause had a Hall of Fame career with the Vikings but he played his rookie season with the Washington Redskins. Joey Browner gets the nod despite starting a single game at safety. He was an immediate special teams dynamo. Harrison Smith was a force on defense 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 takes it over Chris Kluwe and Jeff Locke.
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