10 worst Vikings draft picks during the Rick Spielman era

Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Aug 29, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings punter Jeff Locke (18) reacts after being hit after a punt in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Minnesota won 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings punter Jeff Locke (18) reacts after being hit after a punt in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Minnesota won 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jeff Locke, P

Fifth round, 155th overall

(2013)

Like kickers, drafting a punter is usually not the norm in the NFL. The Vikings selecting Locke in 2013 is only the ninth time a punter has been drafted since 2011.

With the amount of production he has given them in the last four years, Minnesota could have easily found another punter off the street and used their draft pick on a player who would have been more useful.

His punting average was always towards the bottom of the league rankings and he always seemed to have the ability to deliver an awful punt at the most horrible of times.

Locke is no longer with the Vikings as he signed a new contract with the Indianapolis Colts during this most recent offseason. Perhaps he will find a way to succeed with the Colts, but not even a degenerate gambler would take a chance on that actually happening.

Notable players drafted after Locke:

Latavius Murray (Oak), Micah Hyde (GB), Ricky Wagner (Bal)

Schedule