Minnesota Vikings Starting to See Fruits of Good Drafting

Sep 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Falcons 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Since 2012, it’s been an interesting process of rebuilding for the Minnesota Vikings, who for the last three or four years have really been trying to recover from the loss of Brett Favre and everything he brought to their offense. Despite being able to allow the offense to flow through Adrian Peterson, the Vikings were clearly missing something — anything — at the quarterback position.

They spent a first round pick in 2011 on Christian Ponder, who nearly was let go this offseason from the sounds of things. That experiment obviously didn’t work out, so the Vikings started from scratch in virtually every area of the team on a yearly basis. They drafted USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil in 2012, who has become far and away their best lineman. Kalil was one of two first round picks that year, along with rookie Pro Bowl selection Harrison Smith out of Notre Dame.

The Vikings hit two home runs with their picks in 2012, and gave themselves even more ammo in 2013 when they dealt wide receiver Percy Harvin for a first and third round pick. The picks they’d accumulated allowed them to eventually wind up with three first round picks in the 2013 draft for a team that had just made the playoffs on the heels of Adrian Peterson’s incredible year.

The Vikings used first round picks on defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, cornerback Xavier Rhodes, and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Still no QB of the future, but the Vikings at this point had accumulated five first round talents at key positions of need, especially the hole that was about to be filled by Patterson for the departed Harvin.

In 2014, the Vikings used their top pick on UCLA linebacker and pass rusher Anthony Barr, then traded back into the bottom of the first round for Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, a player that no one would have probably been shocked to see the Vikes pick with their first pick.

Thanks to having seven first round picks over the last three drafts, the Vikings clearly have assembled one of the most intriguing and talented core groups of young players in the NFL. They’re seeing the talent come to a bit of a head with their up and down season so far, but we really saw what the Vikings are capable this past Sunday when they crushed the Atlanta Falcons.

Teddy Bridgewater, despite some small flaws, was spectacular. The offense also saw a breakout game from running back Jerrick McKinnon, a third round pick this season and a huge performance from former Arkansas receiver Jarius Wright, who had his first real featured role that I can even remember in his time with the Vikings.

The biggest thing going for the Vikings right now, be it by circumstance or not, is the fact that all seven of their first round picks since 2012 are in the starting lineup, and probably firmly entrenched there as well. As much as has been made of the Adrian Peterson situation, and rightfully so, it’s got to be encouraging for the Vikings to know that if that gets cleared up or not, they still have a really strong core group of players and it’s a fruit of great drafting.

Rick Spielman deserves a lot of blame for what’s gone on in Minnesota in recent years, having to fire Leslie Frazier and taking a lot of lumps in the draft (Ponder), but it finally appears as though the Vikings are not only on the right track, they’re going to compete and win games while these young pups learn the NFL game.