Welcome to the All-Time Favorite Viking Team series. We’re going through and voting by position for your favorite Viking players. There are no set criteria other than they played for the Minnesota Vikings. It’s your favorite player at that position.
We’re moving on to the defense. We’re going to start with the man in the middle. The MLB/ILB position is often the vocal leader of the defense. For the purposes of this series, we’re sticking with the 4-3. The team has significantly more history with that system as the base defense.
Scott Studwell (1977-1990)
10 Sacks, 11 INTs
Studwell spent his entire 14 year career in Minnesota. He was a starter until the very end in 1990. He made back to back Pro Bowls in 1987 & 1988. He is also a member of the 25th Anniversay and 40th Anniversary Teams. He stayed with the team and worked as Director of College Scouting from 2002-2019. Overall he spent 42 years with the Vikings organization. He was introduced into the Vikings Ring of Honor in 2009. Tackles and forced fumbles weren’t a stat for players until late in his career.
Eric Kendricks (2015-2022)
21 1⁄2 Sacks, 11 INTs, 8 FF, 1,174 Tackles
Kendricks played at a time with a lot of other linebackers receiving national attention. He made is lone Pro Bowl and 1st Team All-Pro team in 2019. He was a leader on the defense during the Zim Reapers era.
Andrew Van Ginkel (2024-present)
28 1⁄2 Sacks, 4 INTs, 5 FF, 329 Tackles
Van Ginkel exploded on the scene his first year in Minnesota. He was named to his first Pro Bowl and 2nd Team All-Pro. He was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate for a chunk of the season before that momentum tailed.
E.J. Henderson (2003-2011)
15 1⁄2 Sacks, 5 INTs, 13 FF, 761 Tackles
Henderson made the Pro Bowl and was 3rd in Comeback Player of the Year voting in 2010 after breaking his left femur the prior season in Week 13 against the Cardinals. I remember Henderson better than the stat sheet does. He had the pleasure of playing alongside his brother Erin Henderson.
Rip Hawkins (1961-1965)
6 Sacks, 12 INTs
Hawkins was the starting MLB for the Vikings’ first five seasons. He made his lone Pro Bowl in 1963.
Lonnie Warwick (1965-1972)
8 1⁄2 Sacks and 12 INTs
Warwick spent a year working for the Southern Pacific Railroad before singing with the Vikings in 1964. He spent the next 10 playing in the NFL.
Jeff Siemon (1972-1982)
7 Sacks, 11 INTs
Siemon was a 4x Pro Bowler, 50 Greatest Vikings and a member of the 25th and 40th Anniversary Teams. He started 4 NFC Championships in 5 years, the lone absentee year being the Hail Mary Push Off loss in 1975.
Jack Del Rio (1992-1995)
13 Sacks, 13 INTs, 12 FF, 1,005 Tackles
Del Rio joined the Vikings after 7 seasons with 3 teams. He made his only Pro Bowl in 1994. Had to add the former Jags coach in here.
Blake Cashman (2024-present)
10 Sacks, 1 INT, 293 Tackles
Cashman came in and played well last year. The team suffered when he had to miss a few games due to injury.
Kick Returner – Cordarelle Patterson (2013-2016)
Punter – Greg Coleman (1978-1987)
Kicker – Fred Cox (1963-1977)
Running Back – Adrian Peterson (2007-2016)
Quarterback – Fran Tarkenton (1961-1966, 1972-1978)
Wide Receivers – Randy Moss (1998-2004, 2010) & Cris Carter (1990-2001)
Tight Ends – Steve Jordan (1982-1994) & Jim Kleinsasser (1999-2011)
Offensive Tackles – Ron Yary (1968-1981) & Gary Zimmerman (1986-1992)
Offensive Guards – Randall McDaniel (1988-1999) & Steve Hutchinson (2006-2011)
Center – Mick Tingelhoff (1962-1978)