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 Cornerbacks. This is probably the thinnest position on defense for the Vikings, but that is a high bar. There are some great choices.
Patrick Peterson (2021-2022)
36 INTs, 2 FF, 4 sacks, 652 Tackles
Peterson is a borderline Hall of Famer that did almost all of his damage with the Arizona Cardinals. He made the Pro Bowl his first 8 seasons and was 3x First Team All-Pro.
Xavier Rhodes (2013-2019)
13 INTs, 3 FF, 457 Tackles
Rhodes waas one of the top CBs in the league for the better part of 5 seasons. He fell off the map pretty fast, but his peak was as good as just about anyone. He was only a 3x Pro Bowler and 1x First Team All-Pro. He also finished 4th in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2017. Rhodes never had a sack in the NFL.
Captain Munnerlyn (2014-2016)
12 INTs, 6 FF, 10 Sacks, 529 Tackles
Munnerlyn’s only three seasons outside of Carolina were for the Vikings. He was a very solid piece for three seasons.
Antoine Winfield (2004-2012)
27 INTs, 14 FF, 7 1⁄2 Sacks, 1,094 Tackles
Winfield was superb in run support. He has more tackles than most of the linebackers we were looking at the last two days. He camed to Minnesota after 5 seasons in Buffalo. He was a fan favorite during his time with the Vikings. Winfield was a 3x Pro Bowler and 1x 2nd Team All-Pro.
Brian Williams (2002-2005)
19 INTs, 9 FF, 5 Sacks, 508 Tackles
Williams spent his first four seasons in Minnesota. His most success was in Minnesota and he never was able to continue that momentum when he left after his rookie deal. He tore his ACL with the Falcons in 2009.
Corey Fuller (1995-1998)
17 INTs, 10 FF, 1 1⁄2 Sacks, 597 Tackles
Fuller was a 3nd round pick out of Florida State and played well on his rookie deal. He currently works as the Director of Football Relations for FSU. He was once fined (massive at the time) $30,000 for poking the eye of Packers C Frank Winters.
Dewayne Washington (1994-1997)
31 INTs, 2 FF, 1 Sacks, 807 Tackles
Washington left Minnesota after his rookie deal and had a great run with the Steelers. He was 4th in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 1994 after 3 Return TDs (2 INTS, 1 Fumble).
Carl Lee (1983-1993)
31 INTS, 803 Tackles
Lee was a 3x Pro Bowler, 1x First Team All-Pro, 50 Greatest Vikings and a member of the 40th Anniversary Team. He coached the West Virginia State University football team for 10 seasons post retirement from the NFL.
Audrey McMillian (1989-1993)
19 INTS
McMillian had 8 INTs in 1992 and returned 2 for TDs. He was named First Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl for his efforts. He started the final 32 games of his career after only starting 13 in his first 6 seasons.
Willie Teal (1980-1986)
15 INTs, 1 Sack
Teal was sneaky good, but injuries killed the momentum for him.
Bobby Bryant (1967-1980)
51 INTs, 13 FF, 2 Sacks
Bryant spent his entire 13 year career in Minnesota. Bryant was a 2x Pro Bowler, 1x Second Team All-Pro, 50 Greatest Vikings, 25th Anniversary Team, 40th Anniversary Team and Ring of Honor member. He missed his rookie season after injuring his knee pre-season. He was known for blowing kisses to the crowd during games. Bryant shined in the NFC Championship games. He returned a Roger Staubach pass for a TD in 1973 and blocked a kick against the LA Rams in the 1976 NFCCG. He intercepted Ken Stabler in his last game. He ranked 10th all time in interceptions at the time of his retirement (currently 39th).
John Turner (1978-1983, 1985-1986)
24 INTs, 1 FF, 2 Scaks
There are a few interesting facts about Turner. He coached the Mid_America Football League team St Paul Sting to the Championship game, losing to the Minnesapolis Lumberjacks at the Metrodome. He also played for the Miamia Norland Vikings in high school and is an administrative assitant at Park Center Senior High School in Brooklyn Park, MN.
Nate Wright (1971-1980)
34 INTs, 2 FF
Wright is the player Drew Pearson two handed shoved in the back during the first “Hail Mary”. He was also a part of suing the league to end the “Rozelle Rule” that made teams compensate the previous team if a player signed there in free agency. The league know hands out compensatory picks. The fact that Wright didn’t make a Pro Bowl or get All Pro honors in 1974 or 1976 is a crime.
Ed Sharockman (1961-1972)
40 INTs, 6 FF, 2 Sacks
Sharockman not only had a great name, he was a great player. He was a member of the 25th Anniversary team and 50 Greatest Vikings. Hew as drafted by both the Vikings and the Dallas Texans and decided to play in the NFL. During a game in 1970 he blocked and punt for a TD and returned an INT for a TD, against the Dallas Cowboys.
Earsell Mackbee (1965-1969)
15 INTS
Mackbee was a really good starting CB for 4 seasons. He joined the team after serving in the US Air Force.
Outside Linebackers – Matt Blair (1974-1985) & Chad Greenway (2006-2016)
Inside Linebacker – Scott Studwell (1977-1990)
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)