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Minnesota Vikings: 5 best NFL Draft picks of all-time

By Connor Muldowney

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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 9: Fran Tarkington #10 of the Minnesota Vikings drops back to pass against the Oakland Raiders during Super Bowl XI on January 9, 1977, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Raiders won the Super Bowl 32 -14. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 9: Fran Tarkington #10 of the Minnesota Vikings drops back to pass against the Oakland Raiders during Super Bowl XI on January 9, 1977, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Raiders won the Super Bowl 32 -14. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Fran Tarkenton. 3. player. 60. . QB. 1961-66, 1972-78

Playing in an era in which quarterbacks weren’t especially known for airing it out, Fran Tarkenton reigned supreme in a Vikings uniform. Taking Minnesota to three Super Bowls during his career, he was so close to bringing the first one in franchise history home. However, he will settle for a 91-73-6 record as a starter for Minnesota.

Although most of his career was played with the Vikings, he was traded to the New York Giants in 1967 and back to the Vikings in 1972.

To start his career, he had mediocre numbers at Georgia under today’s standards. Over his three-year career with the Bulldogs, he passed for 2,100 yards, 18 touchdowns and 20 interceptions with a 59 percent completion rate. He was then drafted with the 29th pick in the third round of the 1961 NFL Draft by Minnesota.

Tarkenton’s NFL career was much more pronounced than his collegiate one. As a rookie, he passed for 1,997 yards, 18 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, showing that he could sling the ball around if need be. His numbers seemed to increase by the year and even in the season prior to his retirement, he finished with a career-high 3,468 yards and 25 touchdown passes.

With both the Vikings and Giants, he combined for 47,003 yards and 342 touchdowns with 266 interceptions. Tarkenton was a nine-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, 1975 NFL MVP, three-time NFC champion, had his No. 10 retired by the Vikings and was inducted into both the College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Next: 2. Randy Moss

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