Minnesota Vikings: 5 worst draft picks of all-time

Some might argue that Dimitrius Underwood is the biggest draft bust in Vikings history, but there’s one guy atop the list who might have something to say about that. Although he was an absolute waste of the No. 29 pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, he still isn’t as disappointing as the next player.

Underwood had a heck of a junior season at Michigan State, recording 57 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks but missed his entire senior season due to an ankle injury. Rumors circulated that he was cleared in the middle of the year, but Nick Saban thought it was best to redshirt and play the entire 1999 season healthy with Michigan State.

The big defensive end decided instead to enter the draft and showed off in pre-draft workouts, even posting a nice 40-yard dash time with a 6-foot-6, 280-pound frame. That’s something scouts drooled over, along with his potential shown as a junior.

Although he wasn’t exactly projected as a first-rounder after missing an entire season, the Vikings took him at No. 29, purely based on potential. They wound up regretting that pick even before the start of the 1999 campaign.

Underwood mysteriously left training camp after signing a five-year deal and was let go from the team even though he changed his mind and wanted to come back. He never played a single down for the Vikings.

Dallas eventually picked him up and he turned out to be a bust, finishing his two-year career with 21 total tackles and four sacks.

Next: 1. Troy Williamson