Top 10 Minnesota Vikings Third Round Picks

Here’s a look at some of the best third round picks in Minnesota Vikings franchise history. One of the best draft picks in the team’s 60+ years was their very first third round pick. 

Top 10 Minnesota Vikings Third Round Picks

10. Jerick McKinnon, RB, Georgia Southern, 2014

Jerick McKinnon would’ve had a greater impact on the Vikings offense if his early years weren’t during Adrian Peterson’s final years and his final year wasn’t during Dalvin Cook’s first year. His playing time was always dependent on the availability of another back. His most productive season was 2017. A torn ACL cut short Cook’s rookie season. McKinnon worked with Latavius Murray to form a potent rushing attack as the Vikings wound their way to the NFC Championship game. McKinnon, like Chester Taylor before him, was a very good back stuck behind a great back. 

9. Moe Williams, RB, Kentucky, 1996

Moe Williams was a terrific team player for about a decade. From special teams to various offensive roles, whatever needed to be done Williams was available to do. In 2003, he was needed often on offense. He responded with 745 rushing yards and 65 receptions. He also teamed with Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss for one of the great plays in team history. 

8. Tom Hannon, S, Michigan State, 1977

Tom Hannon had the tall task of replacing Paul Krause in the back of the Vikings defense. He was a solid player for 8 seasons. So solid that I’ve long considered Hannon one of the most underrated players in Vikings history.

7. Al Noga, DE, Hawaii, 1988

Al Noga was part of the first great defensive line since the Purple People Eaters days. Chris Doleman, Keith Millard, Henry Thomas, and Noga. This foursome was at their best in 1989. Noga posted 11.5 sacks. That impressive total was third on the team behind Doleman’s 21 and Millard’s 18. This was a rough group for offenses. 

6. Kirk Lowdermilk, C, Ohio State, 1985

Kirk Lowdermilk became the third in the Vikings strong center tradition started by the great Mick Tingelhoff. Lowdermilk took the mantle from Dennis Swilley in 1987 and held it through the 1992 season. 

5. Jake Reed, WR, Grambling, 1991

Jake Reed combined with Cris Carter to form one of the most dangerous receiving duos of the 1990s. Then came 1998. Reed and Carter combined with Randy Moss to form “3 Deep”, one of the greatest receiving trios in league history. 

4. Tim Irwin, OT, Tennessee, 1981

Tom Hannon wasn’t the first fourth round pick that had to replace a Hall of Famer. Tim Irwin was tasked with replacing Ron Yary. From 1982-93, Irwin more than capably sealed the right side of the Vikings offensive line. He was never tapped for a Pro Bowl but should’ve been to a few. 

3. Henry Thomas, DT, LSU, 1987

Henry Thomas was the heart of the great Vikings defensive line of the late 1980s. It’s a damn shame that he only played eight of his 14 seasons in Minnesota.

2. Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU, 2015

In only five seasons, Danielle Hunter has played his way into franchise greatness. He’s only 26. He’s an amazing football player. The astonishing thing is that it still feels like Hunter has only scratched the surface of his potential. 

1. Fran Tarkenton, QB, Georgia, 1961

This draft pick was one of the best, if not the best, pick in Vikings franchise history. It takes a player like Fran Tarkenton to keep a player like Danielle Hunter at #2. Nothing can be said about Tarkenton that hasn’t already been said. He’s one of the best quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL. He held every career passing record longer than any quarterback ever has. The frequency with which quarterbacks currently topple those records probably means that will forever have hold that mark. The Vikings were so enamored with Tarkenton’s passing ability that they acquired him twice to be their franchise quarterback. The team has been searching for their next franchise quarterback since he retired after the 1978 season.