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Minnesota Vikings: 5 worst draft picks of all-time

By Connor Muldowney

Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) throws during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) throws during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Spartan halfback Clinton Jones (26) has Irish tacklers diving for him from all sides as he makes a short gain during the 2nd quarter of the Michigan State-Notre Dame game.
Spartan halfback Clinton Jones (26) has Irish tacklers diving for him from all sides as he makes a short gain during the 2nd quarter of the Michigan State-Notre Dame game. /

Again, the Vikings continue to show their history of drafting running backs that turn into NFL busts — with the exception of Adrian Peterson, obviously.

Clinton Jones was part of one of the most successful and prosperous era of Michigan State football and helped the Spartans win a couple of national titles. He was one of the best running backs in college football in the 1960s and will go down as one of the greatest in Michigan State history, but he had a rude awakening in the NFL.

Everything seemed to come easy to him at the collegiate level, but like many superstars at the college level, they seem to struggle with the learning curve in the big leagues.

Jones was a consensus All-American in 1966 and a true Heisman contender after finishing with 784 yards and six touchdowns. The season before that, he rushed for 900 yards and 10 scores, showing he had elite running abilities.

Minnesota liked what they saw and chose him No. 2 overall in the 1967 NFL Draft only to have him turn into one of the most monumental busts in team history.

The former Spartans was strictly a kick returner in his rookie season, even bringing one back to the house during the 1967 season. Jones was given a bigger role the next season, rushing for 536 yards and a touchdown in 12 games. His numbers decreased over the next two years before racking up a career-best 675 yards and four touchdowns in 1971.

That was the last of his success as he played just one more season in Minnesota (164 rushing yards and two scores) and played his final season with San Diego. This No. 2 overall pick did not last.

Next: 2. Dimitrius Underwood

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