Though recent drafts have delivered some gems for the Minnesota Vikings, the 2000s weren’t always as kind to the purple and gold’s front office.
Five NFL drafts stand out as moments that leave fans pondering, “What could have been?” had the team chosen soon-to-be or eventual Hall of Fame members instead. Of course, hindsight is important when reviewing any draft history.
Here’s a ranking of the five “what could’ve been” drafts in Vikings history since 2000. First, let’s start with an honorable mention.
Honorable Mention: 2011
This draft is one Vikings fans would prefer to forget, as the team selected Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder with the No. 12 overall pick.
It doesn’t crack the top five, as other draft years featured more glaring misses. However, the Vikings passed on players such as guard Mike Pouncey (No. 15), defensive end Ryan Kerrigan (No. 16), tackle Nate Solder (No. 17), defensive end Cam Jordan (No. 24), running back Mark Ingram (No. 28), and defensive end Cam Heyward (No. 31).
The Vikings needed a quarterback after Brett Favre’s second and final retirement, which is why they made the Ponder pick. While the draft class wasn’t overloaded with talent, the team could have potentially selected Andy Dalton (No. 35), Colin Kaepernick (No. 36), or Tyrod Taylor (No. 180)—all of whom had longer and more productive careers than Ponder.
Dalton threw for over 4,000 yards twice (2013, 2016) and surpassed 30 touchdown passes in 2013. By comparison, Ponder’s best season came in 2012 when he threw for 2,935 yards and never reached 20 passing touchdowns in a single season.
5. 2016
In the 2016 NFL Draft, the Vikings swung and missed on their first two picks, selecting Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell at No. 23 and Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander at No. 54.
The pain of those misses deepens when you see who was available: defensive tackle Kenny Clark (No. 27), linebacker Myles Jack (No. 36), defensive tackle Chris Jones (No. 37), cornerback Xavien Howard (No. 38), wide receiver Sterling Shepard (No. 40), running back Derrick Henry (No. 47), wide receiver Tyler Boyd (No. 55), and cornerback James Bradberry (No. 62).
Jones is a borderline Hall of Fame candidate after putting together a stellar career with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning three Super Bowls. Henry will likely end up in Canton as one of the most prolific running backs of his era. Over nine seasons with the Titans and Ravens, Henry has rushed for 11,423 yards—ranking 19th all-time entering 2025.
Every player listed had a more productive career than Minnesota’s selections.
4. 2001
In the 2001 draft, the Vikings selected Wisconsin running back Michael Bennett at No. 27 overall. With Robert Smith retiring in 2000, Minnesota needed a tailback, and the team chose Bennett after Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson (No. 5) and Deuce McAllister (No. 23) were off the board.
Bennett rushed for nearly 1,300 yards in his second season but never reached 1,000 yards again and scored just 13 career rushing touchdowns. His time in Minnesota lasted only five seasons.
Meanwhile, the Colts drafted wide receiver Reggie Wayne three picks later, and the Chargers selected quarterback Drew Brees two picks after that. Neither is in the Hall of Fame yet, but both are in the conversation. Wayne racked up 14,345 yards and 82 touchdowns over 14 years, winning a Super Bowl in 2007. Entering 2025, Wayne ranks 10th all-time in receiving yards.
Brees, a New Orleans legend, led the Saints to a Super Bowl XLIV victory. His 80,358 passing yards are second only to Tom Brady (89,214).
The Vikings were committed to Daunte Culpepper at quarterback at the time, but it’s hard not to imagine what could have been.
Another name worth mentioning is Chad Johnson (later known as Chad Ochocinco), selected nine picks after Bennett. Johnson finished with 11,059 receiving yards—43rd all-time entering 2025.
3. 2010
The Vikings didn’t have a first-round pick in 2010 but selected cornerback Chris Cook at No. 34 overall.
Cook played just 40 games in a five-year career, including 34 with the Vikings. He missed much of his first two seasons due to injuries and a domestic violence case (for which he was acquitted). Even when he was on the field, he struggled.
Eight picks after Cook, the Patriots drafted Rob Gronkowski. Gronk went on to win five Super Bowls and ranks sixth all-time in tight end receiving yards (9,286) and third in touchdown receptions (92). Gronk will no doubt be a Hall of Famer.
2. 2014
The Vikings didn’t completely miss in 2014, selecting UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr at No. 9 overall and Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater at No. 32.
Barr earned four Pro Bowl trips in his eight seasons with the team, while Bridgewater showed promise before injuries stalled his career. However, the biggest miss is the player taken four slots after Barr: Aaron Donald.
Donald, eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2029, is already considered one of the greatest defenders in NFL history. He earned three Defensive Player of the Year awards, 10 Pro Bowl nods, eight All-Pro selections, and helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI.
1. 2005
The 2005 NFL Draft is perhaps the Vikings’ biggest “what if.” After trading away Randy Moss, Minnesota drafted wide receiver Troy Williamson at No. 7 and defensive end Erasmus James at No. 18. Both combined to play just 62 games for the Vikings.
Williamson, seen as Moss’s replacement, totaled just 79 catches for 1,067 yards in Minnesota. James had 38 tackles and five sacks in three seasons.
Meanwhile, here are the players Minnesota passed on:
- DB Antrel Rolle (No. 8)
- LB DeMarcus Ware (No. 11)
- LB Shawne Merriman (No. 12)
- LB Thomas Davis (No. 14)
- QB Aaron Rodgers (No. 24)
- WR Roddy White (No. 27)
Rodgers’ accolades speak for themselves: 10 Pro Bowls, four MVPs, a Super Bowl XLV title and MVP, and a likely Hall of Fame nod.
Minnesota was moving on from Daunte Culpepper, and what could have been with Rodgers under center is something Vikings fans will forever wonder about.
