Viktor
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,552
- 0
Tarkenton Tabbed as Vikings Best-Ever Draft Pick
Minnesota is slated to have 12 picks in the just-around-the-corner 2020 NFL Draft.
The Vikings have drafted numerous players over the years who have made a significant impact on the franchise. But which draft pick is the best in team history?
CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin recently asked this question for each of the 32 NFL teams. For Minnesota, he arrived at quarterback Fran Tarkenton, whom Minnesota selected 29th overall prior to its inaugural 1961 season. Benjamin wrote:
Alan Page, Adrian Peterson and Randy Moss all had distinguished Vikings careers, but Tarkenton is easily the most accomplished QB in franchise history, and he was arguably way ahead of his time as a dual-purpose weapon. Between two stints with the team, he not only led Minnesota to three NFC title wins and captured 1975 MVP honors but became the league's most prolific scrambler with a rushing total that still trails only Michael Vick, Randall Cunningham, Steve Young and Cam Newton. He also retired owning most major passing records.
Tarkenton played six seasons for the Vikings before being traded away to the Giants in 1967 after two Pro Bowl seasons in Purple. Bud Grant took the helm that same year, and in 1972, he brought Tarkenton back to Minnesota, where he played out the remainder of his career before retiring after the 1978 season.
In 13 total seasons with the Vikings, Tarkenton was 2,635-of-4,569 passing for 33,098 yards, 239 touchdowns and 194 interceptions. "Scramblin' Fran" racked up 3,674 rushing yards.
Who did Benjamin highlight for Minnesota's NFC North rivals?
For Chicago, he pointed to running back Walter Payton, who was the No. 4 overall pick in 1975 and went on to earn nine career Pro Bowl nods. Payton's 16,726 career rushing yards ranks second in NFL history.
Another team, another running back.
Benjamin said the Lions best-ever draft pick was Barr Sanders, whom they took with the No. 3 overall pick in 1989. Sanders was a four-time NFL rushing leader and 10-time Pro Bowler, and in 1997 he was named NFL MVP.
For the Packers, Benjamin spotlighted quarterback Bart Starr, who wasn't selected until No. 200 in 1956.
Brett Favre wasn't drafted by the Packers, and Aaron Rodgers has six fewer championships. It's not as if Starr just lucked his way into two Super Bowl wins and five more NFL titles, either. Green Bay historians will admit Starr wasn't the most gifted of passers, but he more than made up for his arm with his intangibles, five times leading the NFL in passer rating, earning 1966 MVP honors and willing the Packers to their dynastic run. He was the league's all-time leader in completion percentage upon retiring, and he still ranks as the all-time leader in postseason passer rating.