15 greatest Minnesota Vikings draft picks of all-time
By Adam Patrick
Kevin Williams – DT
Draft Year: 2003
Draft Selection: Pick No. 9 (First Round)
Kevin Williams is easily one of the most underrated Vikings players in the team’s history. What Williams accomplished during his career in purple definitely ranks up there with some of the greatest to ever wear a Minnesota jersey.
His journey with the Vikings began in 2003 when the team selected the former Oklahoma State defensive lineman with their first-round pick in that year’s NFL Draft. Williams was the player Minnesota selected with the No. 9 pick after infamously letting the clock expire when they originally had the seventh overall pick in the draft.
Luckily, the Vikings’ draft mistake in 2003 didn’t prevent them from landing a great player. As a rookie, Minnesota had Williams line up as a defensive end, and it resulted in him racking up 10.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss during his first year as a pro.
The Vikings then switched him inside to defensive tackle and that’s where he lined up for the remainder of his career with the team.
The position switch didn’t prevent Williams from being a dominant force as he went on to be a five-time First-Team All-Pro and a six-time Pro Bowler.