How's this for a draft lineup?

With time to kill before the draft finally, finally, finally begins ...

In this particular draft, we've selected a defensive tackle, two linebackers, a quarterback, a return man, a center and a tight end. Then we went out and signed an undersized undrafted rookie defensive tackle.

Through the benefit of up to 51 years of hindsight, we think we did pretty well picking the best players the Vikings have picked in Rounds 1-7 since joining the league in 1961.

These are the rounds the players were chosen, but the number of teams in the league have varied, so while a guy like Fran Tarkenton was a third-rounder, he also was the 29 pick overall.

First round: Alan Page, DT, Notre Dame, 15th overall, 1967.
The Vikings had three first-round picks that year. The third one was Page. Obviously a number of great ones to pick from, but we'll stand by Page.

Second round: Matt Blair, LB, Iowa State, 51st overall, 1974.
Played 12 years, made six Pro Bowls and was a starter on two Super Bowl teams.

Third round: Fran Tarkenton, QB, Georgia, 29th overall, 1961.
He made scrambling fun long before Joe Webb was even born.

I'm as shocked as you are to find Moore on this list. But the pickings were slim. There are good players to pick from -- like Brian Robison and Najee Mustafaa -- but no one really stands out from this round. Unless I'm overlooking someone. Moore, who's now with the Steelers, was one of the better punt returners the team has ever had. In 2005, he was the only NFL player to score touchdowns rushing, receiving and on punt returns. He became just the second Viking to do so, joining Hugh McElhenny in 1961.

Fifth round: Ed McDaniel, LB, Clemson, 125th overall, 1992.
Became a starter, a leader and a Pro Bowl player during a 10-year career.

Sixth round: Matt Birk, C, Harvard, 173rd overall, 1998.
Drafted as depth at offensive tackle, we hear he went on to become a pretty decent center.

Seventh round: Steve Jordan, TD, Brown, 179th overall, 1982.
A team record for a tight end (498) not bad for a seventh rounder.

Undrafted free agency: John Randle, DT, Texas A&I, 1990.
Cut one of the most unusual Hall of Fame paths the league has ever seen.



I'm as shocked as you are to find Moore on this list. But the pickings were slim. There are good players to pick from -- like Brian Robison and Najee Mustafaa -- but no one really stands out from this round. Unless I'm overlooking someone. Moore, who's now with the Steelers, was one of the better punt returners the team has ever had. In 2005, he was the only NFL player to score touchdowns rushing, receiving and on punt returns. He became just the second Viking to do so, joining Hugh McElhenny in 1961.

Sixth round: Matt Birk, C, Harvard, 173rd overall, 1998.
Drafted as depth at offensive tackle, we hear he went on to become a pretty decent center.

Seventh round: Steve Jordan, TD, Brown, 179th overall, 1982.
A team record for a tight end (498) not bad for a seventh rounder.