The Minnesota Vikings have never won a Super Bowl, but they have still had some very good teams and a lot of really good players to grace the franchise. Even though the Vikings at times have struggled to win the biggest games, they have still found a lot of success drafting players. Let's breakdown the five best draft picks in Vikings history.
5. Chris Doleman, 1985, Round 1, Pick 4
Chris Doleman was drafted fourth overall in 1985 by the Vikings, and he was a problem for offensive lines. Doleman was switched from linebacker to defensive end, and he became one of the best players in team history. In 10 years with the Vikings, Doleman racked up 96.5 sacks.
In 1989, Doleman set the franchise record for sacks in a season at 21 which held until Jared Allen broke it. Once Doleman retired he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
4. Adrian Peterson, 2007, Round 1, Pick 7
Adrian Peterson had injury concerns coming out of college which allowed the Vikings to get their hands on him at No. 7 overall in the 2007 draft. Peterson played 10 years with the Vikings and set most rushing records for the team. He rushed for 11,747 yards and 97 touchdowns and won an MVP award.
Even though he played on some bad teams without winning records, he will end up enshrined in Canton, Ohio when his career is over.
3. Randy Moss, 1998, Round 1, Pick 21
Many might believe Randy Moss should be higher on this list because he is one of the best wide receivers of all time. Moss had a draft-day slide that put him right in the Vikings' lap at pick 21 in the 1998 draft. Moss broke into the NFL in a big way catching 69 passes for 1,313 yards and 17 touchdowns as a rookie.
Moss ended up playing eight years with the Vikings, putting up 9,316 yards and 92 touchdowns. Moss is not only one of the best player in the team's history, but he is probably also the most popular. He's still waiting to get his jersey number retired, though.
2. Randall McDaniel, 1988, Round 1, Pick 19
Randall McDaniel is one of the best offensive linemen to ever play in the NFL. McDaniel was selected to 12 consecutive Pro Bowls from 1989-2000.
In 1998 when the Vikings had a record offense, McDaniel was a big reason why. He was elite in pass protection and in opening up holes for the running game.
During his time with the Vikings and, later, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he helped block for six different 1,000 yard rushers.
1. Fran Tarkenton, 1966, Round 3, Pick 29
Randall McDaniel and Fran Tarkenton both deserve to be tops on this list, but Tarkenton gets the nod because of the position that played, quarterback.
In Tarkenton's first game as a rookie, he threw for four touchdowns against the Chicago Bears, and that was just the start of his Hall of Fame career.
In 13 years with the Vikings, Tarkenton threw for 33,098 yards and 239 touchdowns. Tarkenton actually had two different stints with the team, and in the second, he led the team to three Super Bowls. Even though they didn't win any of the games, the playoff success helped seal his spot as the top draft pick in Vikings history.
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