This will be the 57th draft in which the Vikings have participated, a run that started in 1961 when the draft was most recently held in Philadelphia.
Minnesota selected running back Tommy Mason with the first overall pick that year and followed by drafting linebacker Rip Hawkins to start the second round. The Vikings tabbed eventual Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton to open the third round at the 29th overall spot on their way to making a selection in each of the draft’s then-20 rounds.
The draft had 20 rounds from 1961-66, 17 rounds from 1967-76, 12 rounds from 1977-92, eight rounds in 1993 and shifted to seven rounds in 1994.