7 draft prospects the Vikings probably regret passing on

2011 First Round

Original Pick: Christian Ponder – QB (Florida State)

This was one of the more shocking Vikings draft picks of the last decade. Now it was a different time, with the NFL strike going on, and that has to be taken into consideration here.

Teams were uncertain about when they’d be able to bring in free-agents and that made quarterback-needy teams very nervous.

Minnesota was one of these teams and when the NFL commissioner announced quarterback Christian Ponder at pick No. 12, it got so quiet you could have heard a mouse fart at Radio City Music Hall.

The Vikings needed a quarterback, but with Jake Locker and Blaine Gabbert off the board, most figured they’d wait. There were great options at other positions available, but Minnesota snagged the signal-caller that most had rated in the second round.

Ponder’s career with the Vikings was tumultuous and fans quickly turned on him after he continued to falter. He ended his time in Minnesota throwing for over 6,500 yards with 38 touchdowns to 36 interceptions which translated to a 75.9 QB rating (Yikes).

Could’ve Had: Robert Quinn – DE (North Carolina)

The Vikings had a gift staring them in the face, but they went need over best player available.  Robert Quinn was supposed to be a top 10 pick in 2011, but the strike made some teams go quarterback early.

This pushed Quinn right into Minnesota’s lap. The Vikings had a need there with Ray Edwards being a free-agent, but they still passed.

What did they pass on? Only one of the best pass rushers in the league from 2011 to 2014. Quinn had 45 sacks in that time frame and he was a dominating and disruptive force.

His numbers could’ve been even better playing opposite Jared Allen on Minnesota’s defensive line.  At the time, taking Ponder over Quinn felt like a mistake to many Vikings fans, and those fans have been proven right.

(For more NFL Draft and Vikings-related content from Nik Edlund, head on over to SkolHole.com and check out his work.)