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
Sammy White-1976
More easy choices. Two more rookie of the year winners. They combined for 27 touchdowns and 2219 yards in their first NFL seasons.
It'll be a challenge for 2020 first round pick Justin Jefferson to bump White 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 probably would've 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 and career ended way too soon. Zimmerman played two seasons in the USFL before he became an NFL rookie so he was a "seasoned" rookie.
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
Tingelhoff started every game in his 17-year Hall of Fame career. That streak started with his rookie season.
Defensive ends
Carl Eller-1964
Danielle Hunter-2015
Carl Eller is an easy choice. Danielle Hunter's 6-sack debut season earned him the other end spot. Chris Doleman would probably 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. 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 has been an impact playmaker since his rookie season. Eric Kendricks edges out Jeff Siemon. It took about a month for Kendricks forced 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
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.
2020 first round pick Jeff Gladney will have a chance to challenge for one of these spots.
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 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
Bobby Walden-1964
Bobby Walden led the NFL in punting as a rookie.
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