The Viking Age
FanSided

The best Vikings selection from each year of the 90s at the NFL Draft

By Adam Carlson

Minneapolis MN, 10/19/03----Moe Williams celebrates ,Randy Moss, and Daunte Culpepper after Moe scored ona lateral from Randy Moss in the 2nd qurater.(Photo By JERRY HOLT/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Minneapolis MN, 10/19/03----Moe Williams celebrates ,Randy Moss, and Daunte Culpepper after Moe scored ona lateral from Randy Moss in the 2nd qurater.(Photo By JERRY HOLT/Star Tribune via Getty Images) /
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Vikings - Green Bay Packer football September 26,1999. -- Minnesota Vikings runningback, Robert Smith,26, runs for daylight against the Green Bay Packers Sunday September 26, 1999. Smith Had 21 carries for 85 yards for an average of 4 yards a carry.(Photo By JUDY GRIESEDIECK/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Vikings – Green Bay Packer football September 26,1999. — Minnesota Vikings runningback, Robert Smith,26, runs for daylight against the Green Bay Packers Sunday September 26, 1999. Smith Had 21 carries for 85 yards for an average of 4 yards a carry.(Photo By JUDY GRIESEDIECK/Star Tribune via Getty Images) /

1993: Robert Smith, running back – Round 1 (pick 21 overall)

If not for the Minnesota Vikings finding success in drafting Adrian Peterson, there is a chance that Robert Smith would be among the names mentioned when discussing the team’s best running back of all time.

Spending his entire career with the Vikings from 1993 to 2000, Smith was named to the Pro Bowl twice and rushed for over 1,000 yards for four consecutive seasons with his largest rushing output coming in 2000 when he gained 1,521 yards.

Heading into the 2019 season, Smith ranks second on the franchise’s all-time rushing list with a grand total of 6,818 yards on 1,411 attempts. He also added 178 catches for another 1,292 yards through the air.

Being a part of a high-powered offense, Smith was able to take advantage of Minnesota’s stellar passing game by making defenses pay for not respecting the run enough. And Smith excelled at this job with the Vikings.

Honorable mention: Qadry Ismail, WR/ST – Syracuse (Round 2)

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