10 best Vikings cornerbacks drafted in the first three rounds

2. John Turner

• Second Round (1978)

The Vikings drafted John Turner in the second round of the 1978 draft from the University of Miami in Florida. The 48th overall selection that year, Turner failed to make a start his rookie season but did finish with an interception. He broke into the starting lineup in 1979 and started every game the next two seasons. In total, Turner played eight of his nine NFL seasons with the Vikings, taking a one-year break in 1984 to play for the San Diego Chargers.

Those eight seasons are the most of any player in the ranking. His 70 starts are tied for second in the ranking with Cedric Griffin and his 101 games played are good for second-most in the ranking. Turner’s 22 interceptions are the most of any player in the ranking.

After three seasons as a starting cornerback, the Vikings moved Turner to safety for two seasons. He was just as effective with a total of eight interceptions those years.

Upon his return from San Diego in 1985, Turner only started four games that season, but still led the Vikings with five interceptions. Turner’s last season, the strike-shortened season of 1987, he was limited to only two games. His 22 interceptions for the Minnesota Vikings are tied for eighth place in franchise history.