Top Ten Minnesota Vikings Fourth Round Picks

I’ve addressed the best Minnesota Vikings draft picks of the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. Why not select the best of the fourth round.

Top Ten Minnesota Vikings Fourth Round Picks

10. Rhett Ellison, TE, USC, 2012

Perhaps a surprise pick. Rhett Ellison was tasked with replacing Jim Kleinsasser. That’s a tough task. Kleinsasser was a beast. Ellison wasn’t Kleinsasser but he was an excellent blocker and occasional pass catcher. It was a sad day when he bolted for free agency dollars.

9. Brian Williams, CB, North Carolina State, 2002

Brian Williams was a good, physical corner. Just when I thought he was becoming one of the better corners in the league he left in free agency. 

8. Mewelde Moore, RB, Tulane, 2004

Mewelde Moore was a very good, versatile running back. He was also terrific in the return game. As with the first two on this list, Moore left too soon in free agency.

7. Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas, 2012

If Jarius Wright produced on the first two downs as he did on third down, he might be on his way Canton. Wright was always open on third down. He always made the big catch.

6. Reggie Rutland, CB, Georgia Tech, 1987

Reggie Rutland might be better known as Najee Mustafaa. For about five years, Mustafaa and Carl Lee formed one of the best cornerback duos in franchise history. 

5. Ray Edwards, DE, Purdue, 2006

Ray Edwards was the least heralded member of the Vikings terrific defensive line of the late 2000s. Jared Allen got a ton of attention. Kevin and Pat Williams received a lot of attention as the “Williams Wall.” Edwards was a very productive edge rusher and run defender. He turned that production into a big free agent deal with another team. 

4. Paul Flatley, WR, Northwestern, 1963

Paul Flatley started the Vikings strong tradition of rookie receivers. It’s a tradition that includes Sammy White, Randy Moss, and Justin Jefferson. From 1963-66, Flatley was one of the most productive and least known receivers in the league. 

3. Roy Winston, LB, LSU, 1962

Roy Winston, Lonnie Warwick, and Wally Hilgenberg were the fine linebackers that played behind the Vikings great defensive line. The linebackers didn’t get much attention because they played behind the Vikings great defensive line. Winston was a mainstay on the left side for more than a decade.

2. Brian Robison, DE, Texas, 2007

Brian Robison made the free agency loss of Ray Edwards an overall gain. Robison was a terrific Viking on and off the field. 

1. Everson Griffen, DE, USC, 2010

The Vikings have had great success finding edge rushers in the fourth round. Everson Griffen was the best of them. Jared Allen kept him on the bench for four years. Griffen was such a great athlete that the Vikings spent those four years trying to find ways to get him on the field. He was a gunner on the punt team. A 280-pound gunner! The Vikings spent part of one training camp trying to fit him into a linebacker position. Griffen got his first big contract before he was a full time starter. Talking heads outside Minnesota thought that it was foolish deal. Those that had seen how Griffen had taken advantage of every opportunity were certain that he’d earn the deal. He did. And then some. Griffen was the heart, soul, and leader of Mike Zimmer’s great defenses.