Minnesota Vikings: 5 worst draft picks of all-time

Hoping to land one of the top running backs in the draft class, the Minnesota Vikings set their sights on D.J. Dozier out of Penn State with the 14th overall pick.

Dozier had his best season as a freshman at Penn State, which should have been a sign for Minnesota, but he eventually became an All-American. During his first season with the Nittany Lions in 1983, he burst onto the radar with 1,002 and seven touchdowns. In his All-American senior campaign, he had just 811 yards rushing and 10 scores.

The bruising back finished eighth in Heisman voting in his final collegiate season and earned the respect of the Vikings’ front office. It didn’t take long for the organization to regret picking him in the first round.

As a rookie, he showed some flashes, starting three out of his nine appearances, putting up 257 yards and five touchdowns on just 69 carries. His lack of production became even more prevalent from there on. Dozier’s next two years had a plateauing effect. He combined for 374 yards and two touchdowns in 22 appearances.

Finally, in Dozier’s fourth season, he rushed for just 12 yards on six carries and his career with the Vikings was over. He eventually made his way to the Lions the following season but didn’t do much there, either.

Next: 3. Clinton Jones