The NFL Draft begins in four weeks, and given the makeup of the Vikings' current roster, the offseason moves and the players who might be available when they pick at 11 in the first round, they could go any number of directions. I thought it might be interesting to take a historical look back at the positions the Vikings have addressed with their first-round picks.
We've discussed the Vikings' positions of need here at Vikings Journal ad nauseam all offseason. In short, they seem to be set at quarterback, tight end and kicker. Beyond that it's pretty wide open (especially if Adrian Peterson is traded). The top needs depend on whom you ask and when you ask them. Thus, I decided to take the temperature of Vikings fans with a little crowdsourcing on Twitter and Facebook yesterday. I threw out the simple question, "What position should the Vikings address with the 11th pick in the NFL Draft?"
This highly unscientific method revealed that the two most coveted positions, by far, among Vikings fans and observers are cornerback and offensive line. There were some calls for wide receiver, linebacker, defensive line and the proverbial "best player available," but about three-fourths of the responses received in my incredibly air-tight scientific poll have been corner or offensive line. The responses are still trickling in and the next most popular response has been wide receiver.
These results didn't surprise me too much given where we are at this offseason. I will say that I expected more wide receiver answers since it's a sexier position and since there should be some good wideouts available when they pick. However, folks must think the Vikings are set now that Mike "No really, I'm happy to be here" Wallace is in the fold. Additionally, it seems few people are sold on the Vikings' cornerback depth chart as being a finished product with the addition of 36-year-old Terence Newman. Either that or people didn't realize the Vikings had signed Newman given the news has been literally and figuratively overshadowed by the signing of 6-9, 351-pound tackle Babatunde Aiyegbusi.
When it comes right down to it on draft day, not much would surprise me with the Vikings' pick at 11 – a cornerback, wide receiver, offensive lineman, linebacker or even trading down to accumulate more picks.
The discussion got me wondering: which positions have the Vikings drafted the most with their first-round picks in the past? Which have they drafted the least? So I did a little digging and found out.
Here are some Vikings' first-round facts and figures.
- The Vikings have had 56 first-round picks in 54 drafts, beginning in 1961 with the selection of running back Tommy Mason with the No. 1 overall pick.
- They have not had any first-round picks in nine drafts, including zero first-rounders from 1989-1992 (thanks, Herschel Walker).
- The Vikings have also had multiple first-round picks in nine drafts, including a whopping seven first-rounders over the past three years.
- The Vikings have drafted five Hall of Famers in the first round: Carl Eller, Alan Page, Ron Yary, Chris Doleman and Randall McDaniel. Oh and one future Hall of Famer: Randy Moss.
Now for the positional breakdown. Here are how many players at each position the Vikings have used their 56 first-round picks on -- 28 each on offense and defense:
