Except for Adrian Peterson, the team’s No. 1 pick in 2007, the Vikings recent college drafts haven’t provided impact players. Peterson is by far the best of the choices in the last five years and the Vikings have had better success gaining high impact help from NFL free agents during that period.
Running back Peterson and center Matt Birk, a 1998 pick, are the high impact players on offense who came through the draft. Quarterback Gus Frerotte, wide receiver Bernard Berrian and left guard Steve Hutchinson are vital to the offense and all signed as free agents.
Except for defensive tackle Kevin Williams, a 2003 draft pick, the biggest contributors on defense are end Jared Allen, who came here in a trade, plus free agent acquisitions tackle Pat Williams, cornerback Antoine Winfield, and safeties Darren Sharper and Madieu Williams.
The Vikings have reserves Jeff Dugan (fullback) and Dontarrious Thomas (linebacker) from the 2004 draft still on the roster. Reserve offensive tackle Marcus Johnson, a product of the 2005 draft, is with the team but that year’s two No. 1 picks, wide receiver Troy Williamson and defensive end Erasmus James, are not.
The Vikings do have four starters from the 2006 draft, defensive end Ray Edwards, linebacker Chad Greenway, cornerback Cedric Griffin and offensive tackle Ryan Cook, who are starters and trying to establish themselves. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, also from that draft, may one day resume a starting place in the lineup.
Along with Peterson, the Vikings still have several players from the 2007 and 2008 drafts but they have been mostly reserves and not particularly productive, although rookie safety Tyrell Johnson drew praise for his work as a starter while Madieu Williams was injured.
The Vikings’ five drafts from 1999-2003 look superior to the last five, at least for now. The 1999 draft produced quarterback Daunte Culpepper and tight end Jim Kleinsasser (still with the team). Defensive tackle Chris Hovan, a 2000 draft choice, made all pro during his career here, as did Culpepper. The 2001, 2002 and 2003 drafts gave the Vikings immediate starters in running back Michael Bennett, offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie and defensive tackle Kevin Williams. Plus, the 2003 draft produced linebacker E.J. Henderson, the team’s best linebacker this season until injured, and wide receiver Nate Burleson who became a starter before signing with Seattle.
The next couple of years will provide the final evaluation on the recent drafts but in the meantime, as the Vikings prepare for Sunday’s game at home with Green Bay, there’s no doubt this is a team built on a foundation of free agents.