Seven years ago in honor of the Minnesota Vikings 50th season, fans voted for
the best 50 Vikings of all time. Longtime head coach Bud Grant was included on
that list, but this one ranks only players. Being that 2017 is the 57th
season in the franchise's history, the top 57 are included here. Selection and
ranking were based on longevity (seasons with the team), individual statistics
and honors, the player's contribution to the team's wins, and overall team
success during the player's tenure.
57) Doug
Martin, DE: A former first round pick, Martin started and ended
his career with the team on controversial notes, but was a pretty good player
on the field during the early and mid-1980's. He played in 126 games, starting
94, and his 60.5 sacks rank eighth in team history.
56) Steve Riley, OT: A
first round pick in 1974, Riley started 121 games at left tackle during his 11
year career, protecting the blind side of quarterbacks Fran Tarkenton and Tommy
Kramer.
55) Lonnie Warwick, MLB:
Warwick played in 92 games and started 75. The middle linebacker in a defense
that dominated opponents' offenses in 1968, 1969, and 1970, he intercepted 12
passes, recorded 7.5 sacks and recovered 6 fumbles in his eight year career
with the Vikes.
54) Ted Brown, RB: Brown played in 106
games during his eight year career with Minnesota, ranking fifth on the team's
rushing list with 4,546 yards and seventh in scoring with 53 touchdowns.
53) Greg Coleman, P: Coleman was steady during his ten years with the
team from 1977-1987, punting in 138 games, still the team record.
52) Gene Washington, WR: Playing in 81 games in his six seasons with the
Vikings, Washington was named to the Pro Bowl in 1969 and 1970 and was the
team's top receiver during those dominant years.
51) Stu Voigt, TE: Voigt was a steady tight end during his 11 years and
131 games with the team, contributing during the team's Super Bowl
seasons in the mid-'70's.
50) Fred Cox, K: The Vikings placekicker from 1963 through 1977 appeared
in 210 games and is the team's all-time scoring leader with 1,365 points.
49) Dave Osborn, RB: A tough runner and reliable receiver out of the
backfield, Osborn's 4,320 rushing yards rank sixth in team history. He was
named to one Pro Bowl during his 11 years and 137 games with the team.
48) Robert Smith, RB: A two time Pro Bowl
selection, Smith played in 98 games during his eight seasons with the team,
rushing for 6,818 yards, second in team history.
47) Chad
Greenway, LB: A two time Pro Bowl selection, Greenway played in 156 games, starting
144, in a ten year career with Minnesota from 2007-2016. He recorded 18
quarterback sacks, forced 8 fumbles and recovered 11, and intercepted 11
passes, returning two for touchdowns.
46) Doug Sutherland, DT: Sutherland played in 138 games during his 10
years with the Vikings, starting 90. He plugged the middle of the defensive
line at left tackle during the mid-1970's when the team had highly rated
defenses.
45) Nate Wright, CB: A steady cornerback
during the mid-1970's when the team led the league each year in many defensive
categories, Wright played in 129 games, starting 89, in his ten years with the
team. He ranks 5th with 31 interceptions and knocked down 55 passes.
44) John Gilliam, WR: Named to the Pro Bowl
after each of his four seasons with the team, Gilliam's 20 yard
average-per-reception is by far highest among Viking players with at least 100
catches.
43) Ed Sharockman, CB: A consistent defensive back on Minnesota's great
defenses of the late '60's and early '70's, Sharockman played in 142 games,
starting 121, during his 12 years with the team. He ranks third with 40
interceptions, returning four for touchdowns, and also recovered 9 fumbles.
42) Keith Millard, DT: Selected All-Pro and
to the Pro Bowl twice, Millard was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in
1989 when he recorded 18 sacks. Millard was a key piece of the team's
outstanding defenses in the late '80's, appearing in 75 games during his six
years with the Vikes.
41) Fred McNeil, LB: Playing in 167 games
and starting 122 at outside linebacker during his 12 years with the team,
McNeil recovered 16 fumbles, intercepted 7 passes, and recorded 13 quarterback
sacks.
40) Ed McDaniel, LB: The team leader in
tackles for loss with 90.5, he ranks second among Viking linebackers with 20.5
sacks. McDaniel is also sixth on the team with 17 forced fumbles. He has 5
fumble recoveries, intercepted 4 passes and was named to the Pro Bowl once
during his nine seasons and 125 games, 109 starts, with the Vikings.
39) Karl Kassulke, S: Another key player on
the team's outstanding defenses in the late 60's and early '70's, Kassulke
played in 131 games at safety, starting 121, intercepting 19 passes. Selected
to one Pro Bowl, he had 9 fumble recoveries and his 8 sacks are third among
defensive backs.
38) Wally Hilgenberg, LB: A tough outside linebacker
on the Vikings' great defenses of the late 60's and throughout the 70's,
Hilgenberg played in 158 games, starting 118, in 12 seasons. He recovered 13
fumbles, recorded 8 sacks, picked off 8 passes and scored two touchdowns.
37) Jared Allen, DE: Named to the Pro Bowl four times in his six years
with the team, Allen's 88.5 sacks place him sixth in team history. He also
intercepted 4 passes, forced 16 fumbles, recovered 9, and registered 4 safeties
while starting all 96 games he appeared in at right end.
36) Antoine Winfield, CB: Selected to three Pro Bowls during his nine
years with the Vikings, he played in 119 games, starting 115. Of Winfield's 21
interceptions two were returned for touchdowns. He defensed 73 passes, which is
fourth in team history, recorded 6.5 QB sacks, forced 11 fumbles and recovered
9, returning two of those for touchdowns as well.
35) Tommy Kramer, QB: While injured often during his 13 years with the
Vikes, Kramer did start 110 games at quarterback and ranks second in most passing
categories, including yards and touchdowns.
34) Ed White, OG: Selected to three Pro Bowls in his eight years with
the team, White played in 122 games and started 94 at guard during the team's
dominant run in the early and mid-1970's.
33) Gary Zimmerman, OT: Named to three Pro
Bowls in his seven years with the Vikings Zimmerman held down left tackle for
108 consecutive games during the late '80's and early 90's.
32) Matt Birk, C: Birk played in 146 games and started 123 from
1998-2008, earning six Pro Bowl nods while snapping the ball at center.
31) Tim Irwin, OT: During his 13 years with the team he played in 188
games, starting 181 at right tackle. Standing at 6-7, he also blocked a few
extra points and field goals while on the special teams unit.
30) Henry Thomas, DT: Selected to two Pro Bowls while appearing in 118
games and starting 117 in 8 years, Thomas ranks sixth in tackles-for-loss with
62. He is ninth with 56 sacks, forced 12 fumbles, and recovered 8, returning
two for touchdowns. He also had two interceptions and notched a safety.
29) Kevin Williams, DT: A six time Pro Bowl selection, Williams started
all 171 games he appeared in over 11
seasons. He ranks eighth with 60 QB sacks, knocked down 66 passes, forced 8
fumbles, and recovered 13, returning two for touchdowns. Williams also
intercepted 5 passes, bring back two for scores.
28) Grady Alderman, OT: Holding down left tackle on offense for 14
years, Alderman played in 193 games, starting 174, and was selected to the Pro
Bowl six times.
27) Gary Larsen, DT: A member of one of the best front fours in NFL
history, defensive tackle Larsen played in 135 games, starting 107, in 10
seasons for the Vikings. He recorded 37 sacks, recovered 10 fumbles, and was
named to two Pro Bowls.
26) Ahmad Rashad, WR: Selected to four Pro
Bowls in his seven years with the team, Rashad had 400 receptions and scored 34
touchdowns in 98 games. He was part of one of the most memorable plays in NFL
history, catching a touchdown pass on the game's last play against the Browns
in 1980.
25) Sammy White, WR: A two time Pro Bowler, White played in 128 games,
starting 118, and was the team's top receiver in the late '70's, averaging 16.3
yards per catch. His 50 touchdown receptions are fourth in team history.
24) Randy Moss, WR: A five time Pro Bowl selection during
his seven seasons and 113 games with Minnesota, Moss is second in team history
in a number of receiving categories, including 587 receptions, 9,316 yards, and
92 touchdowns.
23) Steve Jordan, TE: A six time Pro Bowl
selection, Jordan was a consistent and durable tight end, appearing in 176
games and starting 149 in 13 seasons. He had 498 receptions and scored 28
touchdowns.
22) Carl Lee, CB: Selected three times to the Pro Bowl, Lee played in
169 games, starting 144, during 11 seasons with the team. A key player at
cornerback on the team's great defenses in the late 1980's, he is the all-time
leader in passes defensed with 128, recovered 6 fumbles, and is sixth with 29
interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
21) Roy Winston, LB: In 15 seasons Winston
played in 191 games, starting 158 at outside linebacker on dominant Viking
defenses in the late '60's and early '70's. A playmaker, he had 16 sacks,
fourth among linebackers, and 14 fumble recoveries, third among linebackers, and
12 interceptions, second among linebackers, while scoring 3 touchdowns. He also
is fifth all-time with 68 tackles-for-loss.
20) Bill Brown, RB: A tough runner, he is in fourth place in rushing
yards with 5,757 and second with 52 touchdowns. He added 286 receptions and
another 23 TD's as a receiver out of the backfield. Brown played in 180 games
during 13 seasons and was selected four times to the Pro Bowl.
19) Bobby Bryant, CB: A playmaker at
cornerback, Bryant was selected to two Pro Bowls in 13 seasons, playing in 161
games and starting 127. He is second in team history with 51 interceptions and
second in passes defensed with 77. He also recovered 14 fumbles and scored four
touchdowns, in addition to coming up with a number of big plays in playoff
games.
18) Scott Studwell, MLB: Fifth in team history with 201 games played,
Studwell started 161 at middle linebacker and was selected to the Pro Bowl
twice. He forced 12 fumbles, recovered 16, intercepted 11 passes, and had 9 QB
sacks. He ranks ninth with 46 tackles-for-loss.
17) Jeff Siemon, MLB: A key player as the
middle linebacker on the team's top defenses in the mid-1970's, Siemon played
in 156 games, starting 123, and was selected to four Pro Bowls. He forced 14
fumbles, recovered 11, had 6 QB sacks, and 11 interceptions.
16) Anthony Carter, WR: A dynamic game-changing receiver,
Carter averaged 16 yards per catch and is third in team history with 478
receptions, 7,636 yards and 52 touchdowns. Selected to the Pro Bowl three
times, he played in 133 games and started 125 in his nine years with the team.
15) Joey Browner, S: Selected to the Pro Bowl as a safety six times in
his nine seasons, Browner played in 145 games, starting 117. He is fourth in
interceptions with 37, third in passes defensed with 76, fifth in forced
fumbles with 18, and fifth in fumble recoveries in 17. He also recorded 9.5 QB
sacks, first among Viking defensive backs, and scored 4 touchdowns.
14) Adrian Peterson, RB: After ten seasons and
123 games, Peterson holds the Viking record in rushing yards with 11,747 and is
first in rushing touchdowns with 97. A seven time Pro Bowl selection.
13) Chuck Foreman, RB: An exceptional runner and receiver who could turn
around a game, Foreman was selected to the Pro Bowl five times in his seven
seasons in Minnesota. He rushed for 5,887 yards and 52 touchdowns, and caught
336 passes for another 23 scores.
12) Chris Doleman, DE: A six time Pro Bowl selection, Doleman played in
154 games, starting 142, in 10 seasons with the Vikings. He leads the team with
33 forced fumbles, is sixth in fumble recoveries with 16, seventh in
tackles-for-loss with 60, and fifth in sacks with 96.5. He also intercepted
five passes, scored two touchdowns, and recorded two safeties.
11) Matt Blair, LB: Selected to six Pro Bowls in his 12 seasons, Blair
played in 160 games, starting 130. He is fourth in forced fumbles with 19,
third in fumble recoveries with 20, and tenth in tackles-for-loss with 44. His
23 sacks and 16 interceptions are first among Vikings linebackers. He also
blocked 20 kicks in his career.
10) Mick Tingelhoff, C: A six time Pro Bowl selection, Tingelhoff
started every Viking game at center from 1962 through 1977, 240 consecutive
games in all. He anchored the Vikings offensive line and was elected to the
Hall of Fame in 2015.
9) John Randle, DT: A standout defensive tackle who played in 176 games
and started 150, Randle was named to six Pro Bowls in his 11 seasons with the
Vikings. He recovered 9 fumbles, ranks third in forced fumbles with 25, and is
third in QB sacks with 114. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
8) Ron Yary, OT: Selected to the Pro Bowl seven times in his 14 years
with the Vikings, Yary played in 199 games and started 180 at right offensive
tackle. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.
7) Randall McDaniel, OG: Selected to the Pro Bowl a record 12 times in
his 12 years with the Vikings, he played in 190 games, starting 188 at left
guard. McDaniel was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
6) Paul Krause, S: The NFL's record holder for
interceptions with 81, Krause is the Vikings leader in that category with 53
picks, returning two of those for touchdowns. He also recovered 11 fumbles,
bringing back two for scores, and knocked down 54 passes. In 12 years with the
team he played in 172 games, starting 146, and was selected to six Pro Bowls.
Krause was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.
5) Jim Marshall, DE: Starting all 270 games in which he played as a
Viking at right defensive end, Marshall is second in team history with 127
sacks, first with 29 fumble recoveries, and fourth in tackle-for-loss with 74.
A two time Pro Bowl selection, he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.
4) Carl Eller, DE: The team's all-time leader in QB sacks with 130,
Eller was selected to six Pro Bowls. He ranks second in tackles-for-loss with
87, second in fumble recoveries with 23, and seventh in forced fumbles with 15.
He also blocked 15 kicks. Eller played in 209 games, fourth in team history,
and started 201. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004, an honor that
was long overdue.
3) Cris Carter, WR: Selected to 8 consecutive Pro Bowls in his 12 years
with the team, Carter played in 188 games, starting 177. He holds most Viking
receiving records, including 1,004 receptions, 12,383 yards, and 110
touchdowns. He ranks fourth all-time in NFL history in receptions and touchdown
catches, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2013.
2) Fran Tarkenton, QB: The Vikings record holder in most passing categories,
Tarkenton played in 177 games, starting 170, and was selected to five Pro Bowls
in his 13 seasons with the team. Named the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1975, he
is also among the leaders in league history for records among quarterbacks.
Tarkenton was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.
1) Alan Page, DT: A defensive tackle who changed the game in the late
1960's and early 1970's, Page was named the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1971.
Selected to the Pro Bowl nine times in his 12 years with the Vikings, he played
in 160 games and started 157. He is fourth in team history with 108.5 sacks,
fourth with 18 fumble recoveries, third with 77 tackles-for-loss, and second
with 28 forced fumbles. Page was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. He is
the greatest Minnesota Viking of all time.
sources for statistics:
