Minnesota Vikings: 5 best NFL Draft picks of all-time
60. . DT. 1967-78. Alan Page. 4. player
From quite possibly the best linebacker in franchise history to the best defensive lineman selection, Alan Page was chosen with the 15th overall pick in the 1967 NFL Draft. The Notre Dame star was an All-American in 1966 and went into the draft with high expectations and finished his NFL career with Hall of Fame numbers.
Not only was Page named an All-American in 1966, but he also helped lead Notre Dame to a national title. The all-everything defensive tackle was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as well and there’s even a bronze statue of him outside Notre Dame Stadium. I mean, you have to be pretty legendary to have a statue built in honor of you.
Page was that good. He was a member of the vaunted ‘Purple People Eaters’ which was a name given to the Vikings’ defensive line because they were known for just swallowing up opposing quarterbacks. He helped Minnesota win four conference titles and a league crown as well during his time in Minnesota and finished his career with some impressive numbers.
The Canton, Ohio, native had 148.5 career sacks — a just unbelievable numbers.
Besides being an NFL champion and one of the best pass rushers in league history during his career, he was named to nine Pro Bowls, dubbed an All-Pro nine times, won 11 first-team All-Conference awards, won multiple Defensive Player of the Year honors and an NFL MVP award and had his No. 88 retired by the Vikings.
Next: 3. Fran Tarkenton