Minnesota Vikings: 15 best free agent acquisitions of all-time
By Adam Carlson
60. . RB. (2006-09). Chester Taylor. 10. player
After never having broken 500 rushing yards during his first four seasons in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, Chester Taylor left for a bigger role in Minnesota by signing as a free agent heading into the 2006 NFL season.
The results were instantaneous for Taylor. He became the bell-cow for the Vikings by carrying the ball 303 times for 1,216 rushing yards and six touchdowns in his first year with Minnesota, adding 42 catches for 288 yards through the air as well.
The load got much lighter for Taylor starting during the 2007 season when Minnesota drafted Adrian Peterson. However, the two formed one of the most dynamic and powerful running back duos in the league. In fact, the Vikings led the NFL in team rushing yards in 2007 with 2.634 yards on 494 carries, an impressive 5.3 yards per rushing attempt.
As both a featured and complementary player, Taylor proved he was a team-first individual. Plus, he still holds the Minnesota franchise record for longest run from scrimmage when he scored on a 95-yard touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 22, 2006.