As one might expect, compiling this list gets tougher as we work our way upwards to the second round (just wait for the first round). The Vikings have selected plenty of great players in the second round, but only a handful can make the top five.
Players such as defensive backs Charlie West, Orlando Thomas and Corey Fuller and lineman Dennis Swilley are just on the outside looking in. Wide receivers Sidney Rice and Qadry Ismail warrant consideration, but their greatness in a Vikings uniform (or anywhere else) was too brief to join the group.
Recent draftees such as tight end Kyle Rudolph (2011) and right tackle Phil Loadholt (2009) were at one time thought to be elite picks, and they still have a chance to live up to that designation, but they have to step up game their significantly in the next segment of their career.
Older players such as wide receiver Lance Rentzel (1965), who had a great NFL career, should be considered, but Rentzel played only two years in Purple (as a kick and punt returner). His greatest days took place in Dallas and Los Angeles catching touchdown passes.
Likewise former Golden Gopher and NFL Hall of Fame defender Bobby Bell was taken in the second round by Minnesota in 1963, but he was also selected by the Kansas Chiefs in the AFL draft and played his entire career there. Curiously, Bell was selected No. 16 overall by the Vikings and selected in the 7th round (56th overall) by the Chiefs—he apparently made the right choice if you consider Super Bowl IV when the Chiefs beat the Vikings and Bell got a ring. Even though he became a Hall of Famer, and everyone at the time thought he would sign with the Vikings, you can't consider Bell a great Vikings pick since he never played here.
So, while time with the team is a factor on this list, it is not a requirement to play an entire career for the Vikings (these days that often doesn't happen). But on the other hand, it can influence the ranking on the list, and time spent in Purple was a huge factor for a couple of these second rounders.
No. 5: Jimmy Kleinsasser—Tight End—2nd Round (pick 44), 1999
The selection of Kleinsasser to this list is certainly debatable and could even be called subjective on my part, but I believe this wrecking ball of a tight end/fullback deserves to make the cut. His numbers will never wow you (a total of six receiving touchdowns and one rushing), but for 13 seasons he was an integral part of the offense, blocking for running backs and making huge third-down receptions. His bruising style cleared the way for 1,000-yard rushers in seven of his season as a Viking. Although he had some injury trouble in his career, whenever was on the field (154 of his 181 career games), he always made his presence known.
