First-round running backs, from Mason to Peterson

The Vikings have selected 10 running backs in the first round of the draft. Here are their résumés in Minnesota:

TOMMY MASON, 1961

Tulane, No. 1 overall

Games: 70

Rushing: 761 attempts, 3,252 yards, 28 TDs

Receiving: 151 receptions, 1,689 yards, 11 TDs

Great back for Vikings until injuries started in '65.

CLINT JONES, 1967

Michigan State, No. 2 overall

Games: 75

Rushing: 546 attempts, 2,008 yards, 19 TDs

Receiving: 31 receptions, 306 yards, 0 TDs

Solid, although not the star Vikings anticipated.

LEO HAYDEN, 1971

Ohio State, No. 24 overall

No statistics with Vikings.

A bust by which all others can be judged.

CHUCK FOREMAN, 1973

Miami, No. 12 overall

Games: 93

Rushing: 1,529 attempts, 5,879 yards, 52 TDs

Receiving: 336 receptions, 3,057 yards, 23 TDs

Best all-around Vikings back in history.

TED BROWN, 1979

N.C. State, No. 16 overall

Games: 104

Rushing: 1,117 attempts, 4,546 yards, 40 TDs

Receiving: 339 receptions, 2,850 yards, 13 TDs

Not bad, but not next Foreman that Vikes had hoped for.

DARRIN NELSON, 1982

Stanford, No. 7 overall

Games: 129

Rushing: 981 attempts, 4,231 yards, 18 TDs

Receiving: 251 receptions, 2,202 yards, 5 TDs

Explosive kick returns added to outstanding value.

D.J. DOZIER, 1987

Penn State, No. 14 overall

Games: 37

Rushing: 163 attempts, 643 yards, 7 TDs

Receiving: 32 receptions, 298 yards, 2 TDs

Started slow and went downhill.

ROBERT SMITH, 1993

Ohio State, No. 21 overall

Games: 98

Rushing: 1,411 attempts, 6,818 yards, 32 TDs

Receiving: 178 receptions, 1,292 yards, 6 TDs

When healthy, as dangerous as Foreman.

MICHAEL BENNETT, 2001

Wisconsin, No. 27 overall

Games: 64

Rushing: 713 attempts, 3,174 yards, 12 TDs

Receiving: 126 receptions, 1,040 yards, 5 TDs

Nobody got less out of more.

ADRIAN PETERSON, 2007

Oklahoma, No. 7 overall

Could be key to Brad Childress' longevity as coach.

PATRICK REUSSE