6 most disappointing Vikings draft picks of the Mike Zimmer era

4. Pat Elflein – OL

Drafted: Third Round (2017)

After a promising rookie season in which Pat Elflein started 14 games, the Vikings thought they had found themselves a steal of a pick in the third round of the 2017 draft.

But then injuries stunted Elflein’s progression in 2018, which led to Minnesota drafting a replacement for him at center in 2019 with Garrett Bradbury. His switch over to left guard in 2019 was a disaster and he was off the Vikings’ roster midway through the 2020 season.

3. Scott Crichton – DL

Drafted: Third Round (2014)

After adding Anthony Barr in the first round of the 2014 draft, Minnesota made an attempt to add even more depth to their defense with Scott Crichton in the third round.

The hope was that Crichton could eventually develop into a starter or at least be a rotational player for the Vikings defense. Neither ended up happening.

Crichton got on the field for two percent of Minnesota’s defensive snaps as a rookie in 2014 and then just 12 percent of the snaps in 2015. After accumulating a total of 10 tackles in his first three seasons, the Vikings parted ways with him in 2017.