The Viking Age
FanSided

10 worst Vikings draft picks during the Rick Spielman era

By Adam Patrick

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 11
Next
Sep 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) is hit by Chicago Bears outside linebacker Lance Briggs forcing an incomplete pass during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) is hit by Chicago Bears outside linebacker Lance Briggs forcing an incomplete pass during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Christian Ponder

First round, 12th overall

(2011)

Following two seasons with the ol’ gunslinger himself in Brett Favre, Minnesota found themselves in the market for a quarterback heading into the 2011 NFL Draft. There were a few highly-rated signal callers that year and the Vikings managed to get their hands on one of them.

It just was not the right one.

Christian Ponder could have possibly been a successful quarterback on the professional level, but landing in Minnesota certainly was not the best situation for him to attempt in doing that. The Vikings did trade for veteran Donovan McNabb before the 2011 season so that Ponder would not have to be immediately thrown into the fire.

Nov 7, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) runs past Washington Redskins defensive end Stephen Bowen (72) during the third quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Redskins 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) runs past Washington Redskins defensive end Stephen Bowen (72) during the third quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Redskins 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

But McNabb only led Minnesota to one win in their first six games and the Vikings decided they did not have anything to lose by letting their rookie quarterback start under center for the rest of the year. Ponder did okay in his first season, but he was given the benefit of the doubt because it was his first time playing on the professional level.

Next: Vikings 2017 dream draft

The rest is history and unfortunately he was never able to live up to the expectations that came with being a first-round draft pick. Perhaps it was due to Minnesota not utilizing the athleticism they drafted him for and instead trying to turn him into a traditional pocket-passer?

Notable players drafted after Ponder:

Cameron Heyward (Pit), Andy Dalton (Cin), Justin Houston (KC)

Home/Minnesota Vikings News