Minnesota Vikings: 8 Best Late-Round Steals in Draft History

Breaking news: franchises are built through the draft.

Those franchises that find diamonds in the rough are even better off because on top of the studs they draft early on, they also snag the unexpected talent.

That’s something at which the Minnesota Vikings haven’t been historically talented. But they have some nice tallies on their resume.

Since I was born in 1989, most of my Vikings knowledge is relative to the time between then and now—as you’ll see in my list.

Here’s a list of Minnesota’s draft history. Have a look, and let me know who I forgot, but keep in mind, I only placed players on this list who were selected 100th overall or later.

8. Everson Griffen, DE (Pick No. 100, 2010)

In two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Everson Griffen's stat line isn't overly impressive: 4.0 sacks, 32 tackles and two forced fumbles.

But his placement on the list is based on the hype around Griffen's potential on this team moving forward.

Talk to some, and they'll tell you Griffen will be a starting defensive end in Minnesota in 2012. Talk to others, and they'll suggest linebacker. Others will say safety.

Regardless, people have realized Griffen's natural talent. In 2012, he has to make good on it.

7. Brian Robison, DE (Pick No. 102, 2007)

The 2011 campaign was Brian Robison's first season as a starter in the NFL. He had spent the previous four years as a backup to Minnesota's talented core of defensive ends.

But Robison made his case that he belongs as a starter in this league for the next few seasons. He posted 8.0 sacks (tied for 29th most), 44 tackles and three forced fumbles. For his career, he has 21.5 sacks, 109 tackles and six forced fumbles.

At 6'3" and 259 pounds, Robison is not the largest player at his position, but he is very capable as a pass-rusher and run-stopper.

He and Jared Allen comprise one of the few positions Minnesota doesn't need to worry about entering 2012.

6. Everett Lindsay, OL (Pick No. 133, 1993)

Everett Lindsay spent nine of his 11 NFL seasons in Minnesota Vikings purple. He was a very versatile offensive lineman, spending time at tackle and guard.

During his Minnesota career, he started 31 of the 104 games for which he was active. He was part of the 1998 team that lost in the NFC Championship Game to the Atlanta Falcons, went 15-1 in the regular season and set what was then the NFL record for points by an offense in one season.

He was also part of the 2000 team that lost 41-0 to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game.

Everett wasn't the most talented offensive lineman, but he was serviceable. Given the length of his Vikings career, his value is high as the 133rd player selected.

5. Ray Edwards, DE (Pick No. 127, 2006)

Ray Edwards was a Minnesota Viking for five years and 58 games. He posted 29.5 sacks, 182 tackles and six forced fumbles.

His final two seasons, he posted 8.5 and 8.0 sacks. He was one of the league's better multifaceted defensive ends, with an ability to stop the run and get after the quarterback.

And the Atlanta Falcons rewarded his play with a cool $30 million over five years, including an $11 million signing bonus. It was just too much cash for Minnesota to drop on Edwards (regardless of the strained relationship).

But that doesn't change what he did during his time as a Viking.

4. John Sullivan, C (No. 187, 2008)

When Minnesota let Matt Birk walk after the 2008 season, it did so because it believed John Sullivan would be a suitable replacement.

And so far, the Vikings haven't been wrong.

Sullivan isn't the lineman that Birk is, but that doesn't mean he isn't (at the very least) an above-average center in this league. He's started 45 regular season games in three years as Minnesota's starting center.

Minnesota believes in him, as demonstrated by the five-year, $25 million extension it signed him to in December.

He'll be a Viking for the next five seasons, something in which Minnesota fans can take solace.

3. Brad Johnson, QB (Pick No. 227, 1992)

Brad Johnson is a Super Bowl-winning quarterback that the Minnesota Vikings drafted.

The Vikings just weren't lucky enough to have Johnson's rights when he won it in 2003 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Johnson had two different stints with the Minnesota Vikings and was supposed to be the quarterback of the record-setting 1998 offense before he broke his leg.

He spent a combined seven seasons with the Vikings, threw for 65 touchdowns, 11,098 yards and completed 62.0 percent of his passes.

2. Ed McDaniel, LB (Pick No. 125, 1992 )

In 10 years as a Minnesota Viking, Ed McDaniel recorded 792 tackles, 19.5 sacks, four interceptions and 13 forced fumbles.

He had five seasons with 100-plus tackles, including his single-season high 125 tackles in 1998.

McDaniel was always a stable force on a Minnesota defensive unit that wasn't overly talented. But he was one of the few players who could be consistently relied upon. 

1. Matt Birk, C (Pick No. 173, 1998)

Between 2000 and 2008, when Matt Birk was healthy, he started all but one of Minnesota's games (he missed 20 games with injuries).

Birk was a six-time Pro Bowler while a member of the Minnesota Vikings. He was arguably the best center in football.

It wasn't a decline in his play that caused the Vikings to let him go, as he's still a stellar player with the Baltimore Ravens. But the Vikings had his replacement waiting in the wings.