6 biggest Vikings draft steals during the Mike Zimmer era

6 – Brian O’Neill – OT

Drafted: Second Round (2018)

During the pre-draft process in 2018, the scouting report on Brian O’Neill had him pegged as a bit of a project of an offensive lineman. Several draft analysts believed O’Neill had potential, but they also felt he was going to need a bunch of coaching before he hit the field on a full-time basis.

Well, he was thrown into the starting lineup during the middle of his rookie season with the Vikings in 2018 and he hasn’t looked back since. As Minnesota’s starting right tackle for the last two seasons, O’Neill has emerged as the top offensive lineman on the team. 

5. Justin Jefferson – WR

Drafted: First Round (2020)

Yes, players who are selected in the first round of the NFL Draft can be regarded as steals too (just ask the Vikings in 1998). 

With Justin Jefferson having a monster rookie season in 2020, him being the fifth wide receiver selected in last year’s draft should be regarded as a huge steal for Minnesota. There’s a good chance that Jefferson could go down as one of the best receivers to ever play in the NFL and the Vikings were able to wait until the bottom third of the draft to pick him off the board.