Ranking the Vikings’ Last 5 Draft Classes

Q: What are the Minnesota Vikings' last five draft classes ranked?

The Minnesota Vikings' last five draft classes are ranked based on their performance, with one class clearly outperforming the others.

Q: Which Minnesota Vikings draft class is considered the worst in the last five years?

The worst draft class for the Minnesota Vikings in the last five years is identified as the most obvious choice in the rankings.

Q: Why is the 2020 draft class excluded from the Vikings' recent draft analysis?

The 2020 draft class is excluded because it would have ranked as the best among the last five years.

Q: What impact do the Vikings' draft classes have on their future performance?

The performance of the Vikings' recent draft classes could significantly influence the team's success as they prepare for the 2026 rookie batch.

Ranking the Vikings’ Last 5 Draft Classes

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings’ 2020 draft is no longer part of this article’s criteria; it would’ve taken the cake if so. But as the purple team pivots to the 2026 batch of rookies, let’s look back at the last five years, which have been tumultuous, outside of a few picks, to say the least.

Minnesota’s recent draft record is uneven, though one class clearly stands above the rest.

The worst draft of the last five years is quite obvious; here’s a look at the complete pecking order.

A Full Ranking of Minnesota’s Most Recent Draft Hauls

Ranking Minnesota’s draft classes from the last half-decade.

Andrew Booth Jr. looks on during a Minnesota Vikings game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. vikings draft classes ranked

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. (23) watches the action on Dec 24, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during a game against the Detroit Lions. Booth observed from the field as Minnesota navigated a key divisional matchup late in the season. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

5. 2022

This is about as brutal as it gets. None of these men work for the Vikings anymore, and we’re only four years removed from the haul.

Cine can’t even cut it in the UFL, Booth hasn’t had much more luck, and Ingram is now a solid starter — in Houston. Others, like Evans, Otomewo, Chandler, Lowe, and Nailor, received new contracts this offseason, but those all occurred with non-Vikings teams.

The 2022 draft is one of the worst in franchise history. Perhaps NFL history.

4. 2025

The Vikings sold most of the picks from this class in pursuit of quarterback J.J. McCarthy and outside linebacker Dallas Turner. So, when the time came to draft players in 2025, former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah didn’t have many picks.

Jackson and Ingram-Dawkins seem like hits, but that’s about it. Minnesota even [oddly] waived King midseason 2025, and he was quickly scooped by the New York Jets.

3. 2023

Addison alone made this draft worthwhile; the Vikings are on track to extend his rookie contract. After the 2022 class, that’s pretty rare.

Jordan Addison makes a catch while being defended by Dane Belton during a Vikings game at MetLife Stadium. vikings draft classes ranked

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) secures a catch on Dec 21, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, while defended by Giants safety Dane Belton (24). Addison created separation and completed the play during first-half action in a road matchup against New York. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.

Ward, too, has turned the corner into a playable safety, and there’s a small chance that he plays a starter’s role in 2026 if Minnesota doesn’t leave this month’s draft with a new safety.

Adofo-Mensah strangely traded Blackmon away last summer for nothing, and he performed decently for the Indianapolis Colts in 2025.

2. 2024

McCarthy still has time to morph into a long-term starter, but Kyler Murray is now in the house for the 2026 Vikings. Turner is on track to be worth the Round 1 squeeze.

Rouse, Jurgens, and Drake Rodriguez remain dependable depth players.

The real prize, so far, believe it or not, is the kicker. Minnesota has been starved for 25+ years at kicker, and Reichard is the guy fans have dreamt about for eons. This draft wasn’t wholly spectacular, but Reichard is sure as hell wholly spectacular.

The Viking Age‘s Luke Norris noted on Reichard a few months ago, “The best player for the Vikes during that final stretch — and arguably throughout the entire season — was second-year kicker Will Reichard, who went a perfect 12-for-12 on field goals in Weeks 14 to 18, three of which went for 50 yards or more, and also connected on all 12 of his extra-point attempts.”

1. 2021

It makes sense that the best Vikings draft of the last five years did not belong to Adofo-Mensah. And that’s not a controversial take. It’s just the truth.

Christian Darrisaw lines up at the line of scrimmage during a Vikings game against the Eagles in Philadelphia. vikings draft classes ranked

Minnesota Vikings tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) lines up at the line of scrimmage on Sep 19, 2022, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during a game against the Eagles. Darrisaw anchored the offensive front as Minnesota prepared for a physical matchup on the road. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.

Former boss Rick Spielman departed this draft in Cleveland five years ago with two undisputed starters: Darrisaw and Bynum.

The rest of the draft was ugly — Mond, Davis, and Robinson are out of the NFL — but even Patrick Jones II is a decent EDGE defender.