Even though they never heard their name called on draft day, a number of players still found a way to make a name for themselves as a member of the Minnesota Vikings.
Despite not getting drafted, there have been a number of prospects in the NFL’s history that have developed into some of the best players the league has ever seen. Tony Romo, Wes Welker, Adam Vinatieri, Antonio Gates, and Kurt Warner are just a few of those who were undrafted and then went on to have impressive careers in the NFL.
In the past, some of the Vikings’ best players in the franchise’s history were signed to the team as an undrafted free-agent. One of them even landed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Of every undrafted free-agent Minnesota has ever signed, which five are the absolute best to ever put on a Vikings uniform?
5. Marcus Sherels – PR/KR
After spending his college years at the University of Minnesota, Sherels signed with the Vikings in 2010 as an undrafted free-agent after he impressed the team during a tryout at rookie minicamp.
Since then, all Sherels has done is become one of Minnesota’s most reliable punt returners in the franchise’s history. He did spend a little time on the defensive side of the ball as a corner during the early part of his career, but he’s basically been the Vikings’ return specialist since 2011.
In the last seven seasons, Sherels has averaged 10.4 yards per punt return and he has also returned five punts for touchdowns. In 2013, he set the franchise single-season record with 15.23 yards per punt return (minimum 10 returns).
His five career punt return touchdowns are also the most by any player in Vikings team history.
4. Chris Kluwe – P
Originally signed as an undrafted free-agent by the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota was able to claim Kluwe off of waivers before the start of the 2005 regular season.
He was immediately named the Vikings’ starting punter as a rookie and his performance did not disappoint. Kluwe’s 44.1 yards per punt average was the sixth-best in the entire NFL in 2005.
The punter ended up staying in Minnesota for a total of eight seasons before some controversy resulted in him looking on from the outside.
Kluwe was a reliable asset during his time with the Vikings and he still holds the team record for highest career yards per punt average,
3. Robert Griffith – S
Griffith joined Minnesota in 1994, but he wasn’t given an opportunity to start until 1996. His wait proved to be worth it as the safety finished his first season as a starter on the Vikings’ defense with 95 total tackles, four interceptions, two sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Griffith’s performance that year had a lot to do with Minnesota’s defense improving from 27th in points allowed in 1995 to 15th in 1996.
The safety went on to spend a total of eight seasons with the Vikings before finishing up his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals. Griffith’s lone Pro Bowl invite came in after the 2000 season.
His 634 career tackles in Minnesota still ranks third among any defensive back in Vikings team history
2. Adam Thielen – WR
A few more seasons like the one he had in 2017 and Thielen may be able to jump to number one on this list, but for now he’s Minnesota’s second-best undrafted free-agent of all-time.
After paying his own way to participate in a number of regional scouting combines across the country, the Vikings signed the local receiver as an undrafted free-agent in 2013. It may be cliché, but the rest is history.
Thielen spent his first few seasons in Minnesota on the team’s practice squad and as a utility player on special teams. But he kept improving each offseason and it eventually resulted in him starting 10 games in 2016.
Last season, Thielen started all 16 contests for the Vikings and it resulted in him catching 91 passes for 1,276 yards and four touchdowns. He became the first Minnesota pass-catcher to finish a season with at least 1,000 receiving yards since Sidney Rice in 2009.
If he keeps it up, Thielen’s career could end up with him receiving a gold jacket from the Pro Football Hall of Fame like the guy who is number one on this list.
1. John Randle – DT
No undrafted player in the history of the NFL, let alone the history of the Vikings, has arguably accomplished more than Randle did during his time in Minnesota.
First, the defensive tackle was close to not even making the Vikings’ roster in 1990.
Minnesota Vikings
He was told he had to weigh at least 250 pounds in order for the team to give him a chance and Randle was a couple pounds shy of 250 before he had to step on the scale. So in order to get a shot with Minnesota, he bought a heavy chain from a hardware store and tied it around his waist under his jersey to that he could make the required weight.
This example of Randle’s do-anything attitude is part of what led to him being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
He may also be in the Hall of Fame because he was a monster out on the field. In 11 seasons with the Vikings, Randle finished with a total of 489 tackles, 114 sacks, and 25 forced fumbles.
From 1993 to 1998, the Minnesota defensive tackle earned six straight trips to the Pro Bowl and six straight spots on the All-Pro First-Team.
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Pretty good for a guy that no team felt was worthy of a selection during a 12-round draft in 1990.