The Top 12 Minnesota Vikings of All-Time

12) Paul Krause, Safety

Krause is the NFL all-time leader in interceptions and was a mainstay on the four Vikings Super Bowl teams.

Awards and Honors: Eight-Time Pro-Bowler; Three-Time First-Team All-Pro; NFL Career Interceptions Leader; Hall of Fame (1998)

Paul Krause

11) Ron Yary, OT

Yary had flawless technique and used it to become one of the greatest tackles in NFL history.

Awards and Honors: Seven-Time Pro-Bowler; Six-Time First-Team All-Pro; Hall of Fame (2001)

10) Jim Marshall, DE

If anybody truly was the heart and soul of the Vikings franchise, it would be Marshall. He played in a record 282 consecutive regular-season games. Make no mistake, he didn’t just play. Marshall was a dominant force on one of the greatest defensive lines in NFL history.

Awards and Honors: Two-Time Pro Bowler; Former NFL Record Holder for Consecutive Games Played

Jim Marshall – The All Time Neutralizer

9) Carl Eller, DE

Eller was one of the greatest pass rushers in NFL history. Unfortunately, stats for sacks were not kept while Eller was in his prime. He came off the edge with incredible speed and an enormous wing-span.

Awards and Honors: Six-Time Pro-Bowler; Five-Time First-Team All-Pro; Vikings (Unofficial) Career Sack Leader; Hall of Fame (2004)

Carl Eller Vikings Highlights

8) Randy Moss, WR

Moss is one of the best receivers in NFL history. Work ethic questions raised their ugly heads on occasion in Minnesota. Very few rookies have ever had the immediate impact Moss had on the Vikings. When he burst onto the scene as a rookie in 1998, Moss set the league on fire, catching 17 touchdown passes and rolling up over 1,300 receiving yards. He could rank much higher, but the guys listed above him to me made an impact for a much longer time.

Awards and Honors: Six-Time Pro-Bowler; Four-Time First-Team All-Pro; Single-Season Receiving Touchdowns (2007)

Randy Moss’ Ultimate Career Highlight Reel | NFL Legends Highlights

7) Chuck Foreman, RB

Foreman was the precursor of the do-everything back that teams nowadays look for. To me, he deserves a place in Canton just like Ed White. Known for his spin-move and ability to make defenders miss, watching Foreman was like watching poetry in motion. He broke the mold for running backs at the time by serving as a viable receiving threat. Foreman once recorded 73 receptions in a single season. He amassed 336 catches in seven seasons with the Vikings. In 1975, Foreman scored 22 touchdowns rushing and receiving, an NFL record at the time.

Awards and Honors: Five-Time Pro-Bowler; First-Team All-Pro (1975)

Chuck Foreman

6) Mick Tingelhoff, Center

Tinglehoff was an overwhelming force at center, and he’s a top-five center in league history. Tinglehoff was dependable, dominant, and finished his career as second only to Jim Marshall in games played.

Awards and Honors: Six-Time Pro-Bowler; Five-Time First-Team All-Pro

Mick Tingelhoff

5) John Randle, DT

Randall still holds the record for double-digit sack seasons with eight straight. That total might never be broken. He is also one of the few undrafted free-agents to ever make it all the way to Canton.

Awards and Honors:  Seven-Time Pro-Bowler; Six-Time First-Team All-Pro; Vikings Official Career Sack Leader; Hall of Fame (2010)

“Regulators, mount up!” Best of John Randle Mic’d Up

4) Ed White, Offensive Lineman

I know a lot of people will think I’m crazy for this, but White is one of the greatest guards to ever play the game. It’s criminal that he is not in Canton. I have interviewed many people that have played with and against him, and they all say that White was one of the best to ever play the game.

Awards and Honors: Four-Time Pro-Bowler

Interview with former Viking and Charger Legend Ed White!

3) Adrian Peterson, RB

Peterson is one of the greatest running backs in NFL history, and he ran for over 2,000 yards in 2012, a few months after reconstructive knee surgery.

Awards and Honors: Seven-Time Pro-Bowler; Four-Time First-Team All-Pro; NFL MVP (2013); Vikings Career Leader in Rushing Yards and Touchdowns

Adrian Peterson – Unbreakable

2) Alan Page, DT

Page was as fast as any defensive tackle in NFL history. He was the NFL MVP in 1971, becoming one of only two defensive players to ever win the award. His accomplishments off the field may have been even greater than his accomplishments on the field. Page was quite simply the heart and soul of the famed Purple People Eaters defense.

Awards and Honors: Nine-Time Pro-Bowler; Six-Time First-Team All-Pro; NFL MVP (1971); Hall of Fame (1988)

Alan Page Highlights – MVP

1) Fran Tarkenton, QB

Amazingly enough, Tarkenton is the only quarterback to make this list. If you look at his achievements, they leave no doubt that he is the greatest Viking ever. Fran led Minnesota to three Super Bowls and even though he didn’t win any his impact on the Vikings organization can’t be questioned. They have not been back to the Super Bowl since he left.

Awards and Honors: Nine-Time Pro-Bowler; First-Team All-Pro (1975); NFL MVP (1975); AP Offensive Player of the Year (1975); Vikings All-Time Record Holder for Most Passing Yards and Most Passing Touchdowns; Hall of Fame (1986)

Fran Tarkenton Highlights