Minnesota Vikings: 10 best second round draft picks of all time
By Adam Carlson
8. Phil Loadholt, right tackle
When talking about some players who have slipped through the cracks in franchise history, Phil Loadholt is bound to be among them. Not only are offensive linemen often forgotten over the course of history but he only lasted six seasons with the Vikings.
Minnesota selected him with their second-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft and automatically got a road-grading right tackle to plow holes in the running game. Of course, it doesn’t hurt when you are making holes for a player as dynamic as Adrian Peterson.
Loadholt played in 89 games for the Vikings over his six years with the team until injuries got the better of him. A string of ailments to his shoulder, knees, and more did a number on him, but it was an Achille’s tendon tear which finally put him on the shelf. Considering the problems the Minnesota Vikings have fought through recently, the team would be lucky to find another great run blocking offensive lineman to hold down the fort for six seasons.
No Vikings fan will forget the great seasons had by Adrian Peterson when he was wearing purple and gold but they should also remember Big Phil paved the way for a lot of that yardage with his six-foot-eight and 343-pound frame.