Joey Browner, Keith Millard and Chris Doleman all were No. 1 picks from 1983-88, a stretch in which the Vikings used eight of their 10 first- and second-round picks on defensive players.

They're trying to do it again.

Minnesota used its first five picks and six of eight on defense over the weekend, including linebacker Dwayne Rudd in the first round, 20th overall. It now has used nine of its 12 first- and second-round picks on defense the past four seasons.

"If you have to draft defensive linemen or real quality players, you have to go get them early," coach Dennis Green said Sunday.

The Browner-Millard-Doleman defenses helped the Vikings to the NFC championship game in 1987, and Minnesota's defense ranked among the league's best the next two seasons. After leading the league in defense in 1993 and allowing an average of only 68 yards rushing in '94, the Vikings lost many of their top players to age and free agency.

They tumbled to 20th in '95 and 16th last season.

"We have been attacked tremendously on our defense," Green said. "We have a lot of defensive players playing around the league through unrestricted free agency. We've had to reload."

Without much cash to attract top free agents, they've had to do it through the draft.

Cornerback Dewayne Washington (first round, '94) and right end Derrick Alexander (first, '95) are starters. So are left end Fernando Smith (second, '94), safety Orlando Thomas (second, '95) and cornerback Corey Fuller (second, '95).

Last year's No. 1, Duane Clemons, played little as he vacillated between linebacker and end. But he has been moved to end permanently, put on 20 pounds in the offseason, most of it in upper-body strength, and is expected to play considerably in passing situations this year.

"We have a fairly young team as it is," said defensive coordinator Foge Fazio. "The only old guy we have is (eighth-year All-Pro tackle) John Randle. So now the backups are going to be young."

None of this year's picks are projected as starters in 1997.

Rudd, an outstanding athlete who was projected by many as a top 10 pick, is expected to back up Eddie McDaniel on the weak side and play in passing situations. Rudd's value would increase significantly if McDaniel is slow in returning from a knee injury that cost him all of 1996, although McDaniel is expected to be fully recovered.

Rudd admitted to being only slightly surprised at falling to No. 20, and he begged the Vikings to pick him when coach Dennis Green called moments before the choice was announced Saturday.

"I was just in tears," Rudd said, referring to the elation of being drafted. "A lot of people will say I went lower than I should have, but I'm in Minnesota. That's the team that wanted me, and that's the team that got me."

The Vikings added safety Torrian Gray of Virginia Tech in the second round. He can play either spot and will begin at free safety while Thomas recuperates from a knee injury suffered in the playoff loss at Dallas.

"He's one of the fastest safeties we've had around here since Joey Browner," said vice president for player personnel Frank Gilliam.

Stalin Colinet, a 6-6, 288-pound defensive lineman out of Boston College, was the third-round pick. He will back up Smith at left end and can play all four line positions. Colinet sounded eager when asked if he could bulk up enough to play nose tackle, the Vikings' biggest need.

"You want to take me to McDonald's right now? Let's go," Colinet quipped.

Sunday's rounds started with another Virginia Tech defensive back, corner Antonio Bates. Nose tackle Tony Williams (6-5, 292) of Memphis came in the fifth round before the first offensive pick, speedy receiver Robert Tate of Cincinnati.

Tate, who played at the same high school as Green (John Harris in Harrisburg, Pa.), led the nation in kickoff returns as a junior in 1995 and should fill that role for the Vikings next season. Minnesota's final pick, receiver Matthew Hatchette of Langston (Okla.), also will get a shot as a return specialist.

The Vikings used the first of their two seventh-round picks on defensive lineman Artie Ulmer of Division II Valdosta State. Ulmer will play strongside linebacker.

"There aren't many sleepers in the National Football League," Green said, "but we feel we got one in Artie Ulmer."

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