Fansided

3 biggest draft busts in Minnesota Vikings history

By Russell S. Baxter

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 19: Christian Ponder #7 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the start of NFL game action against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 19, 2014 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 19: Christian Ponder #7 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the start of NFL game action against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 19, 2014 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on the sidelines during training camp (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on the sidelines during training camp (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

2. RB Leo Hayden

The 24th overall selection in the 1971 NFL Draft doesn’t have much of a playing resume. The Minnesota Vikings opted for Ohio State running back Leo Hayden. He was the last of four Buckeyes chosen in the first round that year. The first two of those college standouts were running back John Brockington (Packers) and hard-hitting safety Jack Tatum (Raiders).

Defensive back Tim Anderson was chosen just 23rd by the 49ers and while he played six professional seasons, the first four were with the Toronto Argonauts.

As for Hayden, his rookie campaign saw him play in seven games, with no carries and no receptions. Just before the start of the following season, he was cut by the Vikings. His off-the-field issues garnered more attention than his play. He latched on with the then-St. Louis Cardinals and spent two seasons with the team before landing with the WFL’s Chicago Fire.

Chris Tomasson of the Twin Cities Pioneer Press documents Hayden’s path and what he’s doing today. That means turning his life around. As for his place in Vikings’ history in terms of a first-round disappointment?

“How does it make me feel?” Hayden said. “Not very good. But, hey, if that’s the path that I had to take to get where I am today, then maybe that was the path that God intended me to take. Now, I have a purpose in everything.”

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