Best draft picks in Minnesota Vikings history

Stacker compiled a list of the best draft picks in Minnesota Vikings history using career Weighted Approximate Value (wAV), a metric developed by Pro-Football-Reference.com to estimate career impact. The ranking also lists individual accolades such as Pro Bowl selections, First-Team All-Pro honors, and total years as a starter. Players were assigned to their originally drafted teams, excluding any draft-day trades. Data is as of April 2026.

#10. Adrian Peterson (2007, Round 1, Pick 7)
– Position: RB
– Career wAV: 101
– Pro Bowls: 7
– First-Team All-Pro: 4
– Games Played: 184
– Seasons as Starter: 12

#9. Kevin Williams (2003, Round 1, Pick 9)
– Position: DT
– Career wAV: 102
– Pro Bowls: 6
– First-Team All-Pro: 5
– Games Played: 203
– Seasons as Starter: 12

#7. Ron Yary (1968, Round 1, Pick 1) (tie)
– Position: T
– Career wAV: 104
– Pro Bowls: 7
– First-Team All-Pro: 6
– Games Played: 207
– Seasons as Starter: 12

#7. Bobby Bell (1963, Round 2, Pick 16) (tie)
– Position: LB
– Career wAV: 104
– Pro Bowls: 9
– First-Team All-Pro: 6
– Games Played: 168
– Seasons as Starter: 12

#6. Chris Doleman (1985, Round 1, Pick 4)
– Position: DE
– Career wAV: 114
– Pro Bowls: 8
– First-Team All-Pro: 2
– Games Played: 232
– Seasons as Starter: 13

#5. Randy Moss (1998, Round 1, Pick 21)
– Position: WR
– Career wAV: 124
– Pro Bowls: 6
– First-Team All-Pro: 4
– Games Played: 218
– Seasons as Starter: 12

#4. Randall McDaniel (1988, Round 1, Pick 19)
– Position: G
– Career wAV: 129
– Pro Bowls: 12
– First-Team All-Pro: 7
– Games Played: 222
– Seasons as Starter: 14

#3. Carl Eller (1964, Round 1, Pick 6)
– Position: DE
– Career wAV: 132
– Pro Bowls: 6
– First-Team All-Pro: 5
– Games Played: 225
– Seasons as Starter: 15

#2. Alan Page (1967, Round 1, Pick 15)
– Position: DT
– Career wAV: 144
– Pro Bowls: 9
– First-Team All-Pro: 5
– Games Played: 218
– Seasons as Starter: 15

#1. Fran Tarkenton (1961, Round 3, Pick 29)
– Position: QB
– Career wAV: 148
– Pro Bowls: 9
– First-Team All-Pro: 1
– Games Played: 246
– Seasons as Starter: 18