Top five biggest Vikings draft busts.

[DanAS]

Honorable Mentions:
Erasmus James
Leo Hayden
Tarvaris Jackson
Darrin Nelson
Michael Bennett

5. Christian Ponder, quarterback, 2011, 12th overall.

4. Derrick Alexander, defensive end, 1995, 11th overall

3. D.J. Dozier, running back, 1987, 14th overall.

2. Troy Williamson, wide receiver, 2005, 7th overall

1. Dimitrius Underwood, defensive end, 1999, 29th overall.

As a guy who matriculated at Stanford with Darrin Nelson (we lived on the same floor freshman year) and John McEnroe, all I can say in response to Nelson's inclusion on this list is, "You can't be serious!"

He is a really, really great guy, by the way, and a heck of a football player. Yes, I was surprised he went as high as he did in round 1. Yes, he's no Marcus Allen. And yes, he dropped a pretty important pass (take it from a Redskin hater -- that one hurt!). But we're talking about top 10 draft busts ever? I don't see it.

By the way -- a whole lot of players in the league would be viewed as huge busts if you look back and compare them to someone else who played their position but was taken lower in the same draft. That's not a fair standard to use. In hindsight, it was a crazy pick. At the time, there were two awesome Pac 10 running backs who came out in 1981. Go Cardinal.

[jackal]

Ponder never uttered a word about being benched (would love to see your source about that and him being a "cry baby"). In fact he remained upbeat and is to this day looking forward to the new staff and the opprotunity/challenge to compete for the job.

Non verbal counts sitting on the bench by hi
Self. Not helping other players or being involved
in behind the scenes work. Putting in extra time
with receivers. The player gravitate towards Cassel
and not Ponder ??? Leadership and character

[majorm]

Ponder never uttered a word about being benched (would love to see your source about that and him being a "cry baby"). In fact he remained upbeat and is to this day looking forward to the new staff and the opprotunity/challenge to compete for the job.

Being one of the more active Ponder bashers here this may come as a shock, but Bruise is absolutely right! Ponder NEVER complained publicly about being benched. He may have said he was disappointed or even angry - as he should be - but he's always said the right things publicly.

And how can you question his work ethic? You're not at practice.

No, I don't think Ponder is a good QB, but he's never said or done ANYTHING off the field that I've had a problem with.

And he would not make a list of even top 20 draft busts for me. There have been many, many guys that never did ANYTHING to help this team win a game. That's why I can't believe that Darrin Nelson is on some lists. Sure, he didn't catch the pass against the Redskins, but he was a pretty solid player overall.

I think of a "bust" as a high draft pick that basically did NOTHING. Just because they never became an All-Pro does not make them a bust.

Pretty hard to argue with Underwood as #1. A top draft pick that never set foot on the field.

[Mothman]

Duane Clemmons (man we NEEDED a DE at that point)

Raonall Smith (bust 2nd rd LB when we really needed a LB)

Dontairrous Thomas (another bust LB in the 2nd)

Basically the entire 2005 draft.... BRUTAL!!

Ryan Cook!!!!! Thanks Brad!

Darrin Nelson, Michael Bennett, Dwayne Rudd should not be on this list!!!!

Well said and I agree about Nelson, Bennett and Rudd. Bennett had over 1600 yards from scrimmage for the Vikes in 2002! That's not the work of a bust, nor are Nelson's multiple seasons with 1000+ yards from scrimmage. Both backs stuck around the NFL for a decade.

Rudd was certainly a disappointment but I wouldn't call him a bust either.

[Just Me]

This guy did:
http://twincitiesminnesotablog.com/2007 ... p-game/772

Interesting article, but the guy is mistaken. Darrin Nelson drops the ball (it goes off his shoulder) about a half second before he is hit by Green. Darrin Nelson is the reason we did not go into overtime in the NFCC. Of course, there is no guarantee we'd have still won, even if Nelson makes the catch, but I'm at the guy making that statement. Is he some relative of Nelson's?

Watch the attached video (about the 45 sec mark) and decide for yourselves...


That one play doesn't mean he was a "bust", but let's not sugar coat it: Nelson cost us a chance in overtime in the NFCC game that year.

[Funkytown]

Hey, the quoted part is still true, though. He doesn't blame him for the loss, and he shouldn't. So ha!

[Just Me]

Being one of the more active Ponder bashers here this may come as a shock, but Bruise is absolutely right! Ponder NEVER complained publicly about being benched. He may have said he was disappointed or even angry - as he should be - but he's always said the right things publicly.

I think that's basically correct. This link represents the most 'negative' words I can ever remember Ponder speaking about the subject where he states:

"Some of the dynamics of this organization have changed obviously with brining in Josh [Freeman]," Ponder said. "I would be lying if I didn't say it was a little bit disappointing and frustrating."

[Just Me]

Hey, the quoted part is still true, though. He doesn't blame him for the loss, and he shouldn't. So ha!

You know that Viking Fans will still blame who they want though. Don't confuse us with facts or anything...

[Laserman]

I don't know about busts but Picking Joey Browner over dan marino sure was a huge mistake. Joey Browner was a very very good Player mind you, but passing on marino was a major mistake

[majorm]

I don't know about busts but Picking Joey Browner over dan marino sure was a huge mistake. Joey Browner was a very very good Player mind you, but passing on marino was a major mistake

It's so easy now with 20/20 hindsight to say what a mistake it was, but the Vikings had Tommy Kramer in his prime then. They figured they were set with him so why would they have taken a QB #1? And there were some concerns about Marino which caused just about every other team to pass on him too.

I guess they should have known Kramer was going to get hurt that season and drafted Marino as insurance.

[VikingPaul73]

Well said and I agree about Nelson, Bennett and Rudd. Bennett had over 1600 yards from scrimmage for the Vikes in 2002! That's not the work of a bust, nor are Nelson's multiple seasons with 1000+ yards from scrimmage. Both backs stuck around the NFL for a decade.

Rudd was certainly a disappointment but I wouldn't call him a bust either.

Thanks Jim
Another I forgot was Marcus Johnson. A 2nd round OG that I really thought Tice would mold into a beast. Not so much.

[VikingPaul73]

It's so easy now with 20/20 hindsight to say what a mistake it was, but the Vikings had Tommy Kramer in his prime then. They figured they were set with him so why would they have taken a QB #1? And there were some concerns about Marino which caused just about every other team to pass on him too.

I guess they should have known Kramer was going to get hurt that season and drafted Marino as insurance.

Joey Browner was a great safety and should be in the Ring of Honor. One of my favorite players of all time. Same with Tommy Kramer!

[Purple bruise]

It's so easy now with 20/20 hindsight to say what a mistake it was, but the Vikings had Tommy Kramer in his prime then. They figured they were set with him so why would they have taken a QB #1? And there were some concerns about Marino which caused just about every other team to pass on him too.

I guess they should have known Kramer was going to get hurt that season and drafted Marino as insurance.

Exactly right you are. Browner turned out to be one of the greatest Vikings of all time. How in god's name could he even be mentioned under the topic of biggest busts of all time.

[Funkytown]

If you have the time...

Biggest Draft Bust For Each Team:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2042 ... ms-history

Williamson

Biggest Draft Steal For Each Team:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2042 ... -franchise

Birk

Best Undrafted Players Ever:

http://msn.foxsports.com/southwest/list ... affic_br#1

#3. Randle