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.
There will be two OLBs. Thinking more 4-3 OLB, but will include our 3-4 OLBs. Danielle Hunter will roll into the DEs.
Jonathan Greenard (2024-present)
35 Sacks, 1 INT, 7 FF, 179 Tackles
Greenard made his first Pro Bowl in 2024. Back to back seasons with 12 or more sacks have Greenard trending up. He was a key piece last year for Flores.
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. Included him in MLB and he really does play more OLB.
Anthony Barr (2014-2021, 2023)
18 1⁄2 Sacks, 5 INTs, 8 FF, 554 Tackles
Sometimes writing articles like this is a little surprising. I thought Barr had better stats. He was a leader on Mike Zimmer’s defenses. The Vikings famously took him a few pics before Aaron Donald and waiting to trade back up to pick 32 to pick Teddy Bridgewater. Barr was a 4x Pro Bowler.
Chad Greenway (2006-2016)
18 Sacks, 11 INTs, 8 FF, 1,103 Tackles
Greenway was a South Dakota kid that went to Iowa, so he was always going to be loved in Minneosta. He was also really good on the field. Greenway was named to 2 Pro Bowls and was 2nd Team All-Pro in 2012. He tore his ACL in his first ever preseason game and missed the 2006 season. He took the starting role in 2007 and held it for a decade.
Ben Leber (2006-2010)
24 Sacks, 5 INTs, 13 FF, 500 Tackles
Leber was a decen pass rusher in his day. He joined the Vikings after 4 years in San Diego. He sat through some lean years until one good run with the 2009 team. He might be better known as Nacho Leber, to some, than he is as a player.
Ed McDaniel (1992-2001)
19 1⁄2 Sacks, 4 INTs, 15 FF, 796 Tackles
McDaniel played a mix of OLB & MLB. His lone Pro Bowl in 1998 was at MLB. HE was a big part of the runs in the late 90s.
Dwayne Rudd (1997-2000)
11 1⁄2 Sacks, 1 INT, 4 FF, 512 Tackles
Rudd’s career wasn’t long. His best year was 1998 when he was named 2nd Team All-Pro and 6th in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Rudd has the NFL record for most fumble rturn yards in a season with 157 in 1998. He also shares the record for 2 fumble recoveries in a single season.
Mike Merriweather (1989-1992)
41 Sacks, 18 INTs
Merriweather’s best years were in Pittsburgh where he was named to 3 straight Pro Bowls and 3 straight 2nd Team All-Pro. The Vikings sent a 1st round pick in 1988 season after Merriweather sat out the season in a contract dispute. He was never the same player he was for the Steelers.
Matt Blair (1974-1985)
23 Sacks, 16 INTs
Blair made 6 straight Pro Bowls from 1977-1982 and was named 1st Team All-Pro in 1980. He was also named to the 25th Anniverary Team, 40th Anniversary Team, 50 Greatest Vikings, and the Ring of Honor. His entire 12 year career was in Minnesota, but injuries took their toll on 3 of his final 4 seasons. Blair was fast and is 3rd in NFL history with 20 blocked kicks.
Fred McNeill (1974-1985)
15 Sacks, 7 INTs
McNeill played alongside Matt Blair for his entire career. He was overshadowed by the immense talent on the Vikings defense. Side note, he is the first person ever to have been diagnosed with CTE while alive and confirmed post mortem.
Wally Hilgenberg (1968-1979)
7 1⁄2 Sacks, 8 INTs
Hilgenberg came to the Vikings from the Detroit Lions. He was named to the 50 Greatest Vikings team. Hilgenberd is 1 of 11 players to have played in all 4 Vikings’ Super Bowls. Hilgenberg passed in 2008 from ALS and it was found he had advanced CTE post mortem. Hilgenberg was born and raised in Iowa. He and his grandson played for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Roy Winston (1962-1976)
15 1⁄2 Sacks, 12 INTs
Winston was on the Vikings for 15 years. His best year was 1972 where he finished 9th in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He is a member of the 25th Anniversary Team and the 50 Greatest Vikings. Winston once hit Larry Csonka so hard Csonka had to crawl off the field. The two remained friends and Csonka invited Winston to his Hall of Fame introduction.
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)