4 Vikings Draft Picks Listed as Biggest “Steals” in the Last Decade
Over the course of his tenure as Minnesota Vikings GM, Rick Spielman was certainly scrutinized for a few misses early in the draft. Players like Christian Ponder and Laquon Treadwell come to mind as big misses while Spielman was in Minnesota’s front office. However, he was also capable of finding “diamonds in the rough” during later rounds.
ESPN’s Matt Miller and Jordan Reid ranked the top 50 draft steals of the last decade (2013-2022), and four Vikings draft picks were on the list, all made by Spielman. Players selected after the first round were eligible for the ranking. Here’s a look at the four Vikings selections that made the list.
No. 49: RT Brian O’Neill (2018, R2 P62)
Almost immediately, Brian O’Neill found himself making an impact for the Vikings offense. He has been a steady presence at right tackle, starting at least 15 games in each of the past four seasons. As a result, O’Neill earned himself a new contract extension with the team last offseason that will keep him in Minnesota through the 2026 season.
Unfortunately, the Vikings missed their Pro Bowler down the stretch of the 2022 season after he tore his Achilles against the Green Bay Packers. He seems to be recovering nicely, though, and will hopefully be able to return to the team for training camp in a few weeks.
No. 35: RB Dalvin Cook (2017 Draft, R2 P41)
Despite going through some injury struggles early in his career, playing just 15 total games over his first two NFL seasons, Dalvin Cook became a terrific piece for Minnesota in the backfield. From 2019-2022, Cook played in at least 14 games for the Vikings, recording 1100+ rushing yards and being named to the Pro Bowl in each season.
Of course, Cook was recently released by the Vikings this summer, and he is in the process of finding his next team for the 2023 season. Wherever he ends up, the four-time Pro Bowler will be a great addition to an offense this fall.
No. 30: EDGE Danielle Hunter (2015 Draft, R3 P88)
Danielle Hunter somehow lasted on the board until late in the third round during the 2015 Draft, and Spielman decided to scoop him up, pairing him with Everson Griffen at EDGE for the Vikings. Hunter immediately was a producer in his rookie season, tallying a total of 8 tackles for loss and 6 sacks in 2015.
Since then, Hunter has surpassed 10 sacks in four seasons from 2016-2022, despite missing all of the 2020 season and a majority of the 2021 season with injuries. To this point in his career for Minnesota, he’s recorded 71 sacks. This was certainly a steal for Spielman out of the third round.
No. 7: WR Stefon Diggs (2015 Draft, R5 P146)
There has been no bigger steal over the past decade for the Vikings than Stefon Diggs. Of the 34 receivers selected that year, nobody has recorded more receptions, receiving yards, or receiving touchdowns than Diggs.
Of course, only a portion of this production has taken place for the Vikings. He spent 2015-19 in Minnesota, emerging as a WR1-type player. Following that 2019 season, he was traded to the Buffalo Bills where he has made Pro Bowls in three consecutive seasons and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2020. It wasn’t all bad for Minnesota, though, as Spielman turned that trade into the selection of Justin Jefferson.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.