9. Michael Bennett – RB
First Round (27th overall) – 2001
After the unexpected retirement of Robert Smith, running back suddenly became a need for the Vikings as they prepared for the 2001 NFL Draft.
In the end, Minnesota went with Bennett and they hoped that he could one day be as productive for them as Smith was. After his first two seasons with the Vikings, this actually seemed like a possibility.
Bennett only finished with 682 rushing yards and three touchdowns as a rookie in 2001. But in 2002, the young Minnesota running back earned a trip to the Pro Bowl after racking up 1,647 yards and six touchdowns.
However, Bennett missed eight games in 2003 after breaking a bone in his foot during the offseason and his career with the Vikings was never the same. During his next three years, the Minnesota running back never gained more than 473 yards in a single season.
After a 2005 campaign that saw him fumble the football five times, the Vikings decided they were better off without Bennett and released him.