Biggest Vikings first-round NFL Draft busts from every decade

Biggest Vikings Draft Bust from the 2020s:

Jeff Gladney - CB (2020)

Minnesota’s first-round picks in the 2020s have been solid. 2022 first-rounder Lewis Cine is still a wait-and-see prospect. His rookie year ended in Week 4 with a nasty leg injury against New Orleans.

Gladney, however, proved to be a disappointment because of off-the-field issues. He arrived in Minnesota after a stellar career at TCU, where he was named All-Big 12 and was invited to the 2020 Senior Bowl.

The Vikings had two first-round picks in 2020 and used its first selection on receiver Justin Jefferson. With the 31st overall pick in the draft, Minnesota then took Gladney. During his rookie year, Gladney started in 15 games and proved adept at the pro game with 81 tackles, one forced fumble, and three passes defended.

That should have propelled him to a good 2021, but Gladney never got the chance. In August of that year, he was indicted for domestic violence. Shortly after investigating the matter, the Vikings released him. In 2022 he was found not guilty and signed with the Arizona Cardinals.

Sadly, Gladney was killed in a car crash in Dallas on May 30, 2022. Gladney was just 25 years old at the time of his death.