Vikings’ top sixth-round picks of the past decade

Jack White
·2 min read
2

I should start this off by saying that the sixth round isn’t the best place to find stars, so that’s a big reason why this list isn’t as good as the other rounds. That said, the Vikings have had better luck in the seventh round and undrafted free agency than the sixth round when it comes to developing key contributors.

A team’s ability to find talent in the later stages of the draft can be crucial to developing a team and staying under the salary cap, so I still think it’s important to look at this list and see what Minnesota has garnered over the years.

QB Joe Webb

Vikings QB Joe Webb. Photo: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Look at it this way: The Vikings found a great athlete in the sixth round who started games for them at quarterback. Webb's career never panned out with Minnesota. He will be most remembered for struggling in his playoff start against the Packers. But for a sixth-round pick, he provided plenty of value.

K Blair Walsh

Former Vikings kicker Blair Walsh. Photo: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

I can already hear people talking about the kick against the Seahawks. I probably don't have to tell Vikings fans what happened, but just in case: He went 3-4 on field goals, missing the would-be game-winner from 27 yards away, giving the Seahawks the 10-9 win. I get it. That was not a great moment. But Walsh was a Pro Bowler in 2012, making 92.1% of his field goals that season. He had three seasons where he made more than 86% of his field goals. It should be pointed out that it's hard to find talent in the sixth round. Most of those players do not end up being stars. All that stipulated, Walsh being on this list probably says more about Minnesota's lack of success in the sixth round than it does about Walsh.

G Brandon Fusco

Former Minnesota Vikings guard Brandon Fusco Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

I think Fusco is the standout candidate on this list. In 2013, he tallied a PFF grade of 83.9. He made at least 14 starts in four different seasons with the Vikings. If he replicated his old production on this current Minnesota team, he would be the Vikings' best guard right now by far.

1

1