7 draft prospects the Vikings probably regret passing on

2014 Third Round

Original Pick: Scott Crichton – DE (Oregon State)

Why Scott Crichton’s NFL career didn’t pan out is a bit of a mystery. This guy was a pass-rushing force in college with 23.5 sacks and 51 tackles for a loss in his time at Oregon State.

He was routinely mocked to teams towards the end of round one, so when the Vikings landed him in the third round in 2014, it looked like a big-time steal. Who knows if it was a lack of desire or heart, but Crichton just couldn’t produce in the NFL.

He had just seven tackles in 21 career games with the Vikings and he was let go after his second season in the league. Crichton was later signed by the Buffalo Bills, but he failed a physical and that ended his brief and disappointing NFL career.

Could’ve Had: Preston Brown – LB (Louisville)

Preston Brown isn’t a name probably recognized by the average NFL fan, but he’s had an impressive career. The Bills took this big hitter one pick after the Vikings took Scott “Buston” and they got a ton of production out of him.

Brown had 109 tackles as a rookie and started 14 games. He has been a true tackling machine in his NFL career, amassing 554 tackles in four and a half seasons.

At the time this pick was made, it could’ve been argued Minnesota could’ve used a middle linebacker more than a defensive end. The Vikings already had Jared Allen, Brian Robison, and a young Everson Griffen as their defensive ends at the time.

Their middle linebackers were Erin Henderson, Audie Cole, and Mike Mauti. Henderson was coming off a 112 tackle season in 2013, but he had some off the field concerns.

This may have been a case where the Vikings took the best player available over a need, and it backfired.