Teams must know how to find value in the draft to become and remain successful in the NFL. While hitting on top picks is crucial, it's the teams that hit on mid-to-late round picks that are usually the most impressive. 

Finding late-round talent is the best way to get talented players that aren't making much money. The Minnesota Vikings are a team that has generally been good at drafting in recent memory.

One national media outlet recently demonstrated just how effective the Vikings have been at finding draft steals.

Matt Miller and Jordan Reid, both of ESPN, recentlyc compiled a list of the 50 biggest draft steals of the last decade. 

The criteria for the list were as follows:

• First-rounders weren't included, even if they were taken late on Day 1. Undrafted free agents were also excluded since the list would skew in that direction.
• To qualify, a player must have been drafted at least 15 spots — roughly half a round — later than he should have been, and that's just the floor for the exercise.
• There aren't any 2023 draft picks here — they haven't even played a game yet! Only players drafted between 2013 and 2022 were eligible for our ranking.

The Minnesota Vikings are tied with the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers with an NFL-high four selections on the list. Stefon Diggs, Danielle Hunter, Dalvin Cook, and Brian O'Neill are the Vikings' selections that were selected for this list. 

Diggs was drafted with the No. 146 pick in the 2015 Draft. Diggs would eventually blossom into one of the best receivers in football, representing an incredible bargain as a fifth-round selection. Miller and Reid listed Diggs as the seventh-biggest steal of the decade. 

Next on the list is Hunter. Hunter is listed as the 30th-biggest steal of the decade after also being selected in the 2015 Draft, being taken with the No. 88 pick. Hunter made three Pro Bowls as a third-round pick. 

Dalvin Cook is the next Viking represented. Cook is listed at No. 35 by Miller and Reid after being selected in the second round in 2017. All Cook has done since then is be one of the best running backs in the league. 

Finally, offense tackle Brian O'Neill comes in at No. 49. O'Neill was selected with the No. 62 pick in 2018 and has evolved into one of the more consistent right tackles in the league. 

Unfortunately for the Vikings, it appears that only O'Neill will be on the roster for the 2023 season. Diggs was traded to the Buffalo Bills after the 2019 season, Cook was released this offseason, and Hunter has made his unhappiness known. 

Nevertheless, it's still impressive that the Vikings have managed to find so much talent in the draft.

Featured image via © Matt Krohn | 2023 Jan 15