It’s safe to say that being a first-round draft pick in the NFL puts one in a position of pressure. It’s you the team’s front office has deemed worthy to help revive a franchise, continue improvement or sustain excellence.
But in the Minnesota Vikings case at least, it doesn’t end there, especially if you’re a first-round pick every fifth year. Confused? Let us explain.
A quick glance at the Vikings media guide will show you that dating back every five years the Vikings have hit the nail on the head with their first-round pick. The most recent pick in this five-year trend is defensive tackle Kevin Williams, who has earned three Pro Bowls during his time with the Purple.
The rest of the list includes a Hall of Famer, the team’s all-time leading rusher and one of the franchise’s most reliable and consistent performers, among others. First-round picks are opportunities to change the direction of a franchise and every five years (and many years in between) the Vikings have gotten it right.
Because of the natural pressure that exists by way of being a first-round pick, this topic is best discussed now - before the team’s future first-rounder arrives. So let’s take a quick look at the list. Prepare to be impressed.
As you’ll discover while reading the rest of the list, the Vikings 2008 first-round pick will have large shoes to fill.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Williams has anchored the Vikings defensive line since his arrival here as the ninth overall selection. The consensus All-Rookie selection in 2003 has tallied 34 sacks in five seasons and helped the defense rank first in the league against the run the past two seasons.
There’s not a lot of explaining required here. Moss took the NFL by storm as a rookie after being taken with the 21st overall pick, racking up 1,313 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns on the way to being named rookie of the year. He ranks second in franchise history behind Cris Carter in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.
The franchise’s all-time leading rusher, Smith was also taken with the 21st overall pick and the selection certainly paid off for the Vikings. He galloped past defensive ends, linebackers and safeties for eight years and led the team to the playoffs seven times before retiring from the team and pursuing off-field ambitions.
1988: Randall McDaniel
A (near) future Hall of Famer, McDaniel was a stalwart for the Vikings along their offensive line for 12 seasons, earning 11 Pro Bowls as a Viking and starting in 202 straight games.
Known as an excellent tackler, Browner patrolled the Vikings secondary and punished Vikings opponents for nine seasons, earning six Pro Bowls. He was selected with the team’s 19th pick and it didn’t take him long to establish himself as a constant in the Vikings defense.
Not necessarily a household name in Minnesota today, Holloway played seven seasons for the Vikings. He was taken with the 21st pick and didn’t start many games, but he was a regular contributor for the defense during his career.
Definitely a household name in Minnesota, Foreman was a fierce runner who played in four Super Bowls with the Vikings and also earned five Pro Bowl appearances. In seven seasons with the Purple, Foreman carried the ball 1,529 times for 5,879 yards and 52 scores; he also had 23 receiving touchdowns.
Drafted with the first overall pick, Yary certainly fulfilled all expectations, and then some. He played 15 seasons with the Vikings and missed only two games due to injury. Yary started in all four Vikings Super Bowls, was named to the Pro Bowl seven times and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Dunaway was drafted with the third overall pick by the Vikings, but he instead chose to play in the AFL after being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round. Had he played for the Vikings, he likely would’ve been a fitting member of this trend. Dunaway played on a Bills defense that didn’t allow a rushing touchdown for 17 straight games during the 1964 and 1965 seasons.