The Minnesota Vikings‘ history of first-round NFL Draft picks is a track record that touches both extremes. At one point, the Vikings traded three first-round picks for a running back who’d play less than three years with the team. But Minnesota’s scores of high-quality picks help compensate for the team’s less inspiring moments.
Minnesota Vikings First-Round Draft Picks Throughout History
As it stands, the Vikings have used six first-round picks on players who’ve gone on to become Hall of Famers. Within the franchise’s first nine drafts, the team selected Hall of Famers Carl Eller, Alan Page, and Ron Yary. Later on, Minnesota would add Chris Doleman, Randall McDaniel, and Randy Moss to that esteemed group.
Even in modern history, the Vikings have sustained their level of success in the NFL Draft. First-round picks such as Kevin Williams, Adrian Peterson, Harrison Smith, and Cordarrelle Patterson (as a return specialist) could all field Hall of Fame consideration in the future. Minnesota’s also drafted high-level talents like Xavier Rhodes and Anthony Barr, and early in his career, Justin Jefferson is already on a Hall of Fame trajectory.
2024
- J.J. McCarthy | Pick 10
QB, Michigan - Dallas Turner | Pick 17
DE Alabama
2023
- Jordan Addison | Pick 23
WR, USC
2022
- Lewis Cine | Pick 32
S, Georgia
2021
- Christian Darrisaw | Pick 23
OT, Virginia Tech
2020
- Justin Jefferson | Pick 22
WR, LSU - Jeff Gladney | Pick 31
CB, TCU
2019
- Garrett Bradbury | Pick 18
C, North Carolina State
2018
- Mike Hughes | Pick 30
CB, Central Florida
2017
The Vikings traded the 14th pick to the Philadelphia Eagles.
2016
- Laquon Treadwell | Pick 23
WR, Mississippi
2015
- Trae Waynes | Pick 11
CB, Michigan State
2014
- Anthony Barr | Pick 9
LB, UCLA - Teddy Bridgewater | Pick 32
QB, Louisville
2013
- Sharrif Floyd | Pick 23
DT, Florida - Xavier Rhodes | Pick 25
DB, Florida State - Cordarrelle Patterson | Pick 29
WR, Tennessee
2012
- Matt Kalil | Pick 4
OT, USC - Harrison Smith | Pick 29
DB, Notre Dame
2011
- Christian Ponder | Pick 12
QB, Florida State
2010
The Vikings traded the 30th pick to the Detroit Lions.
2009
- Percy Harvin | Pick 22
WR, Florida
2008
The Vikings traded the 17th pick to the Kansas City Chiefs.
2007
- Adrian Peterson | Pick 7
RB, Oklahoma
2006
- Chad Greenway | Pick 17
LB, Iowa
2005
- Troy Williamson | Pick 7
WR, South Carolina - Erasmus James | Pick 18
DE, Wisconsin
2004
- Kenechi Udeze | Pick 20
DE, USC
2003
- Kevin Williams | Pick 9
DT, Oklahoma State
2002
- Bryant McKinnie | Pick 7
OT, Miami (FL)
2001
- Michael Bennett | Pick 27
RB, Wisconsin
2000
- Chris Hovan | Pick 25
DT, Boston College
1999
- Daunte Culpepper | Pick 11
QB, Central Florida - Dimitrius Underwood | Pick 29
DT, Michigan State
1998
- Randy Moss* | Pick 21
WR, Marshall
1997
- Dwayne Rudd | Pick 20
LB, Alabama
1996
- Duane Clemons | Pick 16
DE, California
1995
- Derrick Alexander | Pick 11
DE, Florida State - Korey Stringer | Pick 24
OT, Ohio State
1994
- Dewayne Washington | Pick 18
DB, North Carolina State - Todd Steussie | Pick 19
OT, California
1993
- Robert Smith | Pick 21
RB, Ohio State
1992
The Vikings traded the 13th pick to the Dallas Cowboys as part of the Herschel Walker trade.
1991
The Vikings traded the 11th pick to the Cowboys as part of the Walker trade.
1990
The Vikings traded the 21st pick to the Cowboys as part of the Walker trade.
1989
The Vikings traded the 24th pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
1988
- Randall McDaniel* | Pick 19
G, Arizona State
1987
- D.J. Dozier | Pick 14
RB, Penn State
1986
- Gerald Robinson | Pick 14
DE, Auburn
1985
- Chris Doleman* | Pick 4
DE, Pittsburgh
1984
- Keith Millard | Pick 13
DT, Washington State
1983
- Joey Browner | Pick 19
DB, USC
1982
- Darrin Nelson | Pick 7
RB, Stanford
1981
The Vikings traded the 18th pick to the Baltimore Colts.
1980
- Doug Martin | Pick 9
DE, Washington
1979
- Ted Brown | Pick 16
RB, North Carolina State
1978
- Randy Holloway | Pick 21
DE, Pittsburgh
1977
- Tommy Kramer | Pick 27
QB, Rice
1976
- James White | Pick 25
DT, Oklahoma State
1975
- Mark Mullaney | Pick 25
DE, Colorado State
1974
- Fred McNeill | Pick 17
LB, UCLA - Steve Riley | Pick 25
OT, USC
1973
- Chuck Foreman | Pick 12
RB, Miami (FL)
1972
- Jeff Siemon | Pick 10
LB, Stanford
1971
- Leo Hayden | Pick 24
RB, Ohio State
1970
- John Ward | Pick 25
G, Oklahoma State
1969
The Vikings traded the 17th pick to the New Orleans Saints.
1968
- Ron Yary* | Pick 1
OT, USC
1967
- Clint Jones | Pick 2
RB, Michigan State - Gene Washington | Pick 8
WR, Michigan State - Alan Page* | Pick 15
DT, Notre Dame
1966
- Jerry Shay | Pick 7
DT, Purdue
1965
- Jack Snow | Pick 8
WR, Notre Dame
1964
- Carl Eller* | Pick 6
DE, Minnesota
1963
- Jim Dunaway | Pick 3
DT, Mississippi
1962
The Vikings traded the second pick to the New York Giants.
1961
- Tommy Mason | Pick 1
RB, Tulane
*Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
