5 worst Vikings rookies during the Mike Zimmer era

2. T.J. Clemmings – OT

When the Vikings decided to select Clemmings in the fourth-round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the plan was to have the raw offensive linemen sit for a year or two before throwing him out onto the field.

Well thanks to Phil Loadholt suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in the 2015 preseason, Clemmings had to begin his rookie year as Minnesota’s starting right tackle. His first year with the Vikings was just a disaster from the start.

Clemmings better resembled a bullfighter in 2015 than he did an offensive lineman. Opposing pass rushers had no problem getting by the rookie blocker to make life horrible for Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

In 16 games as Minnesota’s starting right tackle, Clemmings gave up a total of eight sacks. He clearly wasn’t ready to be out on the field as a rookie and his career might have actually turned out better if not for being thrown to the wolves in his first year with the Vikings.