EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — In just over a week, the Vikings are scheduled to be on the clock with the 23rd pick of the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Vikings currently have eight picks at their disposal, but the first-round selection likely will generate the most excitement.
The 23rd pick is a rare but recent memory for the Vikings, who have drafted in that spot twice in franchise history.
Minnesota had the same selection in 2013 when it took defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd out of the University of Florida.
Floyd has started 24 career games and has developed into a key piece for Head Coach Mike Zimmer's defense. The 24-year-old has 9.5 sacks and 121 total tackles (coaches' tally) in his first three seasons in the league.
The Vikings also had the 23rd pick back in 1965 when they nabbed wide receiver Lance Rentzel out of the University of Oklahoma.
Rentzel played two seasons with the Vikings, catching two passes for 10 yards. He was mainly used as a return specialist as he averaged 24.5 yards per kickoff return and took one back for a score. Rentzel later played four seasons for the Cowboys, leading the league in touchdown catches with 12 in 1969, and three seasons with the Rams (1971-72 and '74).
Some players selected at No. 23 fizzle out quickly in the NFL, but a trio of players selected at the spot — tight end Ozzie Newsome in 1978, punter Ray Guy in 1973 and linebacker Bill George in 1951 — have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Plenty of others such as cornerbacks Ty Law and Antoine Winfield, running backs Duece McAllister and Willis McGahee, offensive tackle Bruce Armstrong and defensive end Jim Jeffcoat went on to have highly productive careers.
Winfield and linebacker Napoleon Harris (23rd overall by Oakland in 2002) later joined the Vikings. Winfield racked up 21 interceptions in starting 115 of the 119 games he played in nine seasons with the Vikings. Harris tallied three interceptions and 4.5 sacks in 22 starts with Minnesota (2005-06, '08).
Here's a look at the 10 most recent No. 23 picks and how they have fared in the NFL:
2015, Shane Ray, DE Denver
Ray appeared in 14 regular season games for the Super Bowl champions, tallying four sacks and 15 total tackles.
2014, Dee Ford, LB Kansas City
Ford has made five starts in two seasons and has 5.5 career sacks.
2013, Sharrif Floyd, DT Minnesota
Floyd has totaled 121 tackles (65 solo), 25.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 70 quarterback hurries and six passes defensed in starting 24 of 43 games played.
2012, Riley Reiff, OT Detroit
Reiff has started 55 of 63 career games at left tackle for the Lions as the blindside protector for quarterback Matthew Stafford.
2011, Danny Watkins, G Philadelphia
Watkins started 12 games as a rookie before leaving the NFL after the 2013 season. He is now a firefighter.
2010, Bryan Bulaga, OT Green Bay
Bulaga has been a consistent presence along the Packers offensive line with 60 career starts.
2009, Michael Oher, OT Baltimore
Oher, a veteran of 107 career starts, began his career with the Ravens but played in Super Bowl 50 with Carolina last season.
2008, Rashard Mendenhall, RB Pittsburgh
Mendenhall rushed for 4,236 yards and 37 touchdowns over six seasons before retiring in 2014.
2007, Dwayne Bowe, WR Kansas City
Recently released by the Browns, Bowe had his best years with the Chiefs. He caught 44 touchdowns over eight seasons, including 15 in 2010.
2006, Davin Joseph, G Tampa Bay
Joseph went to a pair of Pro Bowls with the Buccaneers in 2008 and 2011. He is currently not on an NFL roster.
In preparation for the 1970 merger between the NFL and AFL, the leagues agreed to start a common draft (rather than hold their own) in 1967. Following are players selected 23rd overall between 2005 and the first common draft.
2005, Fabian Washington, CB Oakland
2004, Marcus Tubbs, DT Seattle
2003, Willis McGahee, RB Buffalo
2002, Napoleon Harris, LB Oakland
2001, Deuce McAllister, RB New Orleans
2000, Rashard Anderson, CB Carolina
1999, Antoine Winfield, CB Buffalo
1998, Mo Collins, G Oakland
1997, Antowain Smith, RB Buffalo
1996, Jeff Hartings, C Detroit
1995, Ty Law, CB New England
1994, Shante Carver, DE Dallas
1993, Deon Figures, CB Pittsburgh
1992, Chris Mims, DE San Diego
1991, Randal Hill, WR Miami
1990, Bern Brostek, C Los Angeles Rams
1989, David Williams, OT Houston
1988, Brad Muster, RB Chicago
1987, Bruce Armstrong, OT New England
1986, Mike Schad, G Los Angeles Rams
1985, Jessie Hester, WR Los Angeles Raiders
1984, Louis Lipps, WR Pittsburgh
1983, Jim Jeffcoat, DE Dallas
1982, Bob Crable, LB New York Jets
1981, Curt Marsh, G Oakland
1980, Roynell Young, CB Philadelphia
1979, Steve Fuller, QB Kansas City
1978, Ozzie Newsome, TE Cleveland
1977, Bob Brudzinski, LB Los Angeles Rams
1976, Mark Koncar, OT Green Bay
1975, Darryl Carlton, OT Miami
1974, Bill Kollar, DE Cincinnati
1973, Ray Guy, P Oakland
1972, Jeff Kinney, RB Kansas City
1971, William Anderson, DB San Francisco
1970, Duane Thomas, RB Dallas
1969, Jim Marsalis, CB Kansas City
1968, John Williams, OT Baltimore
196, Tom Regner, G Houston
