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.
Today, we’re looking at the safety position. So many choices…
Paul Krause (1968-1979)
81 INTs, 2 Sacks, 3 FF
The Centerfielder has the most interceptions all time. He was 3x First Team All-Pro, 3x Second Team All-Pro, 8x Pro Bowler, 50 Greatest Vikings, 25th Anniversary Team, 40th Anniversary Team, Ring of Honor and was introducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998. He is also 1 of 11 players to play in all four Vikings Super Bowls.
Joey Browner (1983-1991)
37 INTs, 9 1⁄2 Sacks
Browner started at CB, but found his role when he got the SS nod. He was a 6x Pro Bowler, 4x First Team All-Pro, 40th Anniversary Team, 50 Greatest Vikings, NFL 1980s All Decade Team and is in the Vikings Ring of Honor. He’s probably going to be overlooked with the other names on this list, but he was a great player for a long time. Browner holds the NFL Pro Bowl record with 3 fumble return TDs.
Harrison Smith (2012-present)
37 INTs, 20 1⁄2 Sacks, 12 FF, 822 Tackles
Smith is a 6x Pro Bowler, 1x First Team All-Pro, and 1x Second Team All-Pro. He had the highest rated season for safety in PFF History in 2017. Smith is incredibly popular for a reason. He has a knack for turnovers and is strong in run support. He’s the 5th player to ever have 35 INTs and 20 Sacks in the NFL, joining LeRoy Butler, Brian Dawkins, Rhonde Barber and Charles Woodson. The others are in the Hall of Fame.
Robert Griffith (1994-2001)
27 INTs, 8 1⁄2 Sacks, 11 FF, 1,076 Tackles
Griffith was 2x Second Team AllPro and 1x Pro Bowler. Griffith played in the CFL in 1993 before being signing with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 1994. I will always think of Griffith as the safety of my youth.
Karl Kassulke (1963-1972)
19 INTs, 8 1⁄2 Sacks, 1 FF
Kassulke was a staple of the early Viking teams until a motorcycle accident on his way to training camp parlyzed him from the waist down. He made the Pro Bowl in 1970 and was a part of the 25th Anniversary Team.
Corey Chavous (2002-2005)
20 INTs, 5 1⁄2 Sacks, 3 FF, 733 Tackles
Chavous’ best years and only Pro Bowl were in Minnesota. He was a regular on Paul Allen’s radio show and very involved with the NFL Draft coverage.
Orlando Thomas (1995-2001)
22 INTs, 1 1⁄2 Sacks, 6 FF, 443 Tackles
Thomas burst onto the scene with a bang. He had 9 INTs his rookie season and finished 2nd in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting to Hugh Douglas, who had 10 sacks for the New York Jets. I don’t know about you, but 9 INTs > 10 Sacks in my book.
Jeff Wright (1971-1977)
12 INTs, 2 Sacks, 2 FF
Wright was born and raised in Edina and went to the University of Minnesota. He spent his entire career with the Vikings. He is Minnesota through and through.
Andrew Sendejo (2011-2019)
9 INTs, 2 Sacks, 523 Tackles
Sendejo was revered for his hard hits and fun attitude. He famoulsy created the slogan Make Football Violent Again. Also, his tweet about Pizza Delivery is one of the GOATs. Also, his McDonalds Valentine’s date idea went viral. My only issue with Sendejo was he hit his own teammates just as often as he did the competition.
Brian Russell (2002-2004)
16 INTs, 3 Sacks, 2 FF, 479 Tackles
Russell had 9 INTs in his 2nd year. He went on to play for Cleveland, Seattle, Jacksonville and Houston after the Vikings.
Camryn Bynum (2021-2024)
8 INTs, 1 1⁄2 Sacks, 3 FF, 342 Tackles
Bynum is the master of celebrations. He signed with the Colts this offseason after his rookie deal expired.
Josh Metellus (2020-2024)
4 INTs, 2 1⁄2 Sacks, 5 FF, 283 Sacks
It’s strange to put a player with 4 career starts on this list. Metellus is Brian Flores’ Swiss Army knife. Tell us with Metellus is also a great series on the Vikings’ social media. He’s popular for a reason, he’s an excellent player and has a great personality for the camera.
Anthony Harris (2015-2020)
10 INTs, 1 FF, 356 Tackles
Harris waited on the bench for a while before getting his starting role. He had a great 2019.
Tom Hannon (1977-1984)
15 INTs, 4 1⁄2 Sacks, 1FF
The Michigan State Spartan spent his entire 8 year career in Minnesota.
Cornerbacks – Antoine Winfield (2004-2012) & Bobby Bryant (1967-1980)
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)
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