Minnesota Vikings 91-Man Roster

The Minnesota Vikings will welcome quarterbacks, rookies, and perhaps an assortment of veterans to TCO Performance Center for the start of the team’s 65th training camp. The remainder of the team will report on Tuesday. While it’s just reporting day, Minnesota Vikings Training Camp 2025 is here. 

In advance of the camp fun, here’s another look at the Minnesota Vikings 91-man Roster. There are many pundits out there that believe that the team is a little lacking in the cornerback department. I disagree. I can’t wait to see the group prove that they are just fine. I believe that Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers will emerge as one of the league’s better corner duos. I believe that Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, Dwight McGlothern, Zemaiah Vaugh, Ambry Thomas, Reddy Steward, whoever comes out of the camp competition will provide quality and versatile depth. 

Minnesota Vikings 91-Man Roster (91)

Offense (45)

Quarterbacks (4)

  9 J.J McCarthy

  8 Sam Howell

19 Brett Rypien

12 Max Brosmer

Running Backs (5)

33 Aaron Jones

27 Jordan Mason

32 Ty Chandler

36 Zavier Scott

38 Tre Stewart

Fullback (1)

30 C.J. Ham

Receivers (13)

18 Justin Jefferson

  3 Jordan Addison

  1 Jalen Nailor

  4 Rondale Moore

13 Tai Felton

14 Tim Jones

81 Lucky Jackson

82 Jeshaun Jones

89 Thayer Thomas

83 Silas Bolden

19 Dontae Fleming

31 Myles Price

85 Robert Lewis

Tight Ends (6)

87 T.J. Hockenson

84 Josh Oliver

86 Gavin Bartholomew

48 Ben Yurosek

46 Bryson Nesbit

85 Giovanni Ricci

Offensive Linemen (16)

71 Christian Darrsisaw

74 Donovan Jackson

78 Ryan Kelly

76 Will Fries

75 Brian O’Neill

64 Blake Brandel

78 Walter Rouse

65 Michael Jurgens

67 Justin Skule

62 Logan Brown

60 Joe Huber

66 Vershon Lee

79 Marcellus Johnson

72 Leroy Watson IV

68 Henry Byrd

63 Zeke Correll

Defense (42)

Defensive Linemen (11)

97 Harrison Phillips

93 Jonathan Allen

98 Javon Hargrave

61 Jalen Redmond

50 Levi Drake Rodriguez

94 Taki Taimani 

90 Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

99 Alexander Williams

69 Elijah Williams

92 Jonathan Harris

95 Travis Bell 

Outside Linebackers (7)

58 Jonathan Greenard

43 Andrew Van Ginkel

15 Dallas Turner

59 Gabriel Murphy

98 Bo Richter

96 Tyler Batty

57 Chaz Chambliss

Inside Linebackers (8)

  0 Ivan Pace Jr.

51 Blake Cashman

55 Eric Wilson

  6 Brian Asamoah

41 Kobe King

45 Max Tooley

52 Dorian Mausi

56 Austin Keys     

Cornerbacks (11)

  7 Byron Murphy Jr.

  5 Mekhi Blackmon

  2 Isaiah Rodgers

21 Jeff Okudah

29 Dwight McGlothern

37 Tavierre Thomas

23 Ambry Thomas

20 Reddy Steward 

25 Kahlef Hailassie

35 Keenan Garber

34 Zemaiah Vaughn     

Safeties (5)

22 Harrison Smith

44 Josh Metellus

26 Theo Jackson

20 Jay Ward

40 Mishael Powell

Special Teams (4)

Kickers (1)

16 Will Reichard

Punter (1)

17 Ryan Wright

91 Oscar Chapman

Long Snapper (1)

42 Andrew DePaola

***

The NFL’s offseason roster limit is 90 players. The Vikings have an international pathway exemption for Australian punter Oscar Chapman. He’s exempt from the 90-player roster limit. 

12 Minnesota Vikings Players I’m Most Excited To See

Minnesota Vikings Training Camp is within sight. I’m excited to see the progress and play of all 91 players on the roster. Here are 12 of the players I’m most excited to see. It was supposed to be 10 players but I couldn’t cut it to 10. 

12 Minnesota Vikings Players I’m Most Excited To See

12. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, WRs

I’m always excited to see the league’s best, most technically skilled receiver duo. 

11. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL

The Vikings selected only five players in the 2024 NFL Draft. I was thrilled with the selection of guard Donovan Jackson in the first round. I was intrigued with the selection of receiver Tai Felton in the third round. I’m excited about the selection of Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins in the fifth round. Georgia has sent a fleet of defensive linemen to the NFL. Several have been selected at the top of recent drafts. Three were selected in the first round of this past draft. Ingram-Dawkins might be a Day 3 steal. If he’d gone back to Georgia and entered the 2026 NFL Draft, he might’ve been a Day 1 pick. He’s a raw player with immense physical talent. He’s competing for a rotational role this year. He might be a franchise cornerstone player in a couple years. 

10. Theo Jackson, S

Camryn Bynum will be missed on and off the field. His departure was hardly a surprise when a player the quality of Theo Jackson has been waiting for his shot. Jackson was signed off the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans during the 2022 season. Ever since, he’s been making plays in practice and in his scattered game opportunities. Whenever a Vikings defensive player is asked about Jackson, they smile and say “he just makes plays.” As a Cal guy, I’m going to miss Bynum but I’m really looking forward to seeing Theo Jackson take his deserved and earned place in the Vikings defense. 

  9. T.J. Hockenson, TE

Last year, T.J. Hockenson spent the offseason, training camp, and early part of the season rehabbing his torn ACL. He did return to the field but he never quite looked like the player he was pre-injury. He will this season. 

  8. Jonathan Allen, DT

The Vikings defense directed by defensive coordinator Brian Flores has played above their talent level. The lack of an interior pass rushing threat has forced Flores and the defensive coaches to manufacture one with maniacal blitzing and schemes. Jonathan Allen adds an interior threat. 

  7. Javon Hargrave, DT

I’ve been a fan of Javon Hargrave since he was paired with Cam Heyward in Pittsburgh. I hoped that the Vikings could sign him in free agency in 2020. I hoped that the Vikings could sign him in free agency in 2023. They have him now. Better late than never. He may be 32 now but he can still wreck an offense. Hargrave and Jonathan Allen and Harrison Phillips will be a real fun defensive front. 

  6. Jordan Mason, RB

The Vikings were very active in free agency. Improvements to the offensive line and defensive line got most of the attention. The additions at cornerback were a highlight. The trade that brought Jordan Mason from the San Francisco 49ers was an under-the-radar move. Aaron Jones was terrific in his first season in Minnesota. His versatility was a significant boost for the offense. He was also much better at the start of the season than the end. Along with the improvements to the interior of the offensive line, Mason will add some power to the run game. The Vikings learned in Week 2 how difficult it is to get him on the ground. 

  5. The New Offensive Line Interior

The Vikings offensive line has been a serious weakness for more than a decade. In response, the team’s decision-makers annually dabbled at improvements. That dabbling did yield two elite tackles in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill but the interior has been closer to horrible than serviceable. This offseason, the team’s decision-makers attacked the improvement of the interior of the offensive line. Center Ryan Kelly and right guard were targeted in free agency. Left guard Donovan Jackson was selected in the first round. The five offensive linemen have yet to take a practice snap together. For now, improvements are all on paper. On paper, the offensive line looks like a team strength. I can not wait to see the offensive line, and the interior in particular, on the field. 

  4. Dallas Turner, OLB

While most people moaned about Dallas Turner’s lack of playing time during his rookie season, I focused on the talent that he flashed when he had opportunities. Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel were revelations last season. The opportunities for a rookie, no matter how talented, were few. In his second season, I believe that the defensive coaches will find a way to get Turner on the field often. 

  3. Jeff Okudah, CB

There once was a time when Jeff Okudah was one of the most talented corners to enter the league in recent years. There was an easy reason that he was the third pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was an outstanding prospect. That wasn’t that long ago. Whether it’s injuries, coaching, or circumstances, Okudah hasn’t become the player that he has the talent to be. Maybe, this is his opportunity to finally become that player. 

  2. Isaiah Rodgers, CB

Another corner. Was it a surprise that the first signed free agent this offseason was a cornerback? No. Was it a surprise that the cornerback was Isaiah Rodgers? Yes. His was an under-the-radar signing. Vikings defensive coordinator has an eye for talent and he’s had his eyes on Rodgers for a while. That’s enough for me. I have a feeling that Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers are going to emerge as one of the best cornerback duos in the league. 

  1. J.J. McCarthy, QB

It’s always about the quarterback. The J.J. McCarthy era starts with this training camp. I’ve been waiting for this moment from the moment the Vikings selected McCarthy with the 10th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Interesting Minnesota Vikings Position Competitions

Minnesota Vikings Training Camp is less than a week away. Here’s another look at some of the team’s  interesting position competitions. 

Interesting Minnesota Vikings Position Competitions

Defensive Line

Harrison Phillips and newcomers Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave are penciled in as the Vikings starting defensive line. After two years of scheming an interior pass rush with maniacal blitzing, defensive coordinator Brian Flores finally has player talent that can form an impactful front. With the respective ages of Phillips, Allen, and Hargrave (29,30,32), the Vikings need a solid defensive line rotation to keep those three stalwarts at their best throughout games and the season. The contenders to be part of that rotation:

Jalen Redmond

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Taki Taimani

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Alexander Williams

Elijah Williams

Travis Bell

Jonathan Harris

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the group is their late-round or no-round status. 2025 fifth-round pick Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is the highest drafted of the bunch. He’s raw but immensely talented. It’s been suggested that he would’ve been a first- or second-round pick in next year’s draft if he’d stayed at Georgia for another year. Instead, he’s getting a jump on his NFL career with the Vikings. Ingram-Dawkins and Jalen Redmond are the easiest to see as part of the Vikings defensive line rotation. I expect the Vikings to roster at least six defensive linemen. I believe that the talent competing for that final spot might force the team’s decision-makers to keep seven. Perhaps that’s simply because I can’t cut one of Levi Drake Rodriguez and Taki Taimani or undrafted free agents Alexander Williams and Elijah Williams. I’m glad these roster decisions aren’t mine. 

Cornerback

Most of the nation’s football pundits question the Vikings corners. I’m excited about the potential of the unheralded bunch. I believe that Byron Murphy Jr. and underrated free agent signing Isaiah Rodgers will emerge as one of the league’s top corner duos. Rodgers is probably the player that I’m most excited to monitor in training camp and see in preseason games. If he plays in the preseason games at all. If it wasn’t for Rodgers, another cornerback would be the player I’m most excited to see. Jeff Okudah. The third pick of the 2020 NFL Draft hasn’t played to that elite draft status. His talent is obvious. Perhaps injuries, coaching, system have kept him from becoming the player that he was drafted to be. He has an opportunity in Minnesota and I believe that Flores and the defensive coaches will come up with a role that works with his particular talents. Until Okudah’s role is revealed or established, I believe that third-year Mekhi Blackmon is likely CB3. He was in line for a starting job last year. Unfortunately, he was lost for the season with an ACL injury on the first day of training camp. He’s back and healthy and ready to compete for a prominent role in the secondary. As for the final spot or two, I like the potential of second-year undrafted Dwight McGlothern and first-year undrafted Zemaiah Vaughn. Despite the opinions of those national talking heads, I’m excited about a cornerback room that potentially includes Murphy, Rodgers, Blackmon, Okudah, McGlothern, and Vaughn. Ambry Thomas and Reddy Steward might have something to say about that group. 

Offensive Line

Offensive line makes this list more for the potential of the group than the competition within it. For the first time in more than a decade, the Vikings offensive line looks like a team strength. Until they step on the field, it’s all on paper. The complete group has yet to even take a practice snap together. 

Christian Darrisaw

Donovan Jackson

Ryan Kelly

Will Fries 

Brian O’Neill

That’s a group that has the potential to rank among the best in the league. The Vikings attacked the improvement of the offensive line this offseason. Blessed with an elite tackle duo, the entire interior has been rebuilt. Ryan Kelly and Will Fries were priority free agent signings. Donovan Jackson was selected in the first round. After years of flailing about in their attempts to improve the offensive line, this offseason the team’s decision-makers were focused and committed. We won’t know if it worked until they step on the field but it sure looks promising on paper. 

With the improved starters, the backups have also improved. 

Outside Linebacker

The Vikings outside linebacker group is intriguing due to the talent at the top and the competition for depth. Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel were outstanding throughout their first year in Minnesota. They were so outstanding that first-round pick Dallas Turner couldn’t get on the field. Brian Flores and the Vikings defensive coaches will find a way to get all three on the field this season. It’s going to be beautiful to watch. The competition to round out the group will be between Gabriel Murphy, Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and Chaz Chambliss. All are undrafted players. 

The Vikings have a lot of undrafted players competing for significant roles on defense. 

Receiver

The beauty of the Vikings receiver group is at the top of the depth chart with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. They are the best, most skilled receiving duo in the league. The interesting part of the Vikings receiver group is the competition for roster spots after the top two. 

Jalen Nailor

Tai Felton

Rondale Moore

Tim Jones

Jeshaun Jones

Thayer Thomas

Lucky Jackson

Silas Bolden

Myles Price

Dontae Fleming

Robert Lewis

Jalen Nailor is primed for a strong offensive role. He just has to stay on the field. Tai Felton was drafted in the third round to be a playmaker now and moving forward. It would be no surprise if they are #3 and #4. After that, it’s all up in the air. Rondale Moore is the wildcard. If he’s healthy, his quickness and versatility could give the Vikings a unique offensive weapon. Return jobs will likely determine #5 and perhaps force a #6. 

Returner

Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels is already lobbying for Isaiah Rodgers as the team’s kick returner. Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores might not like one of his top corners taking kick return shots. Rondale Moore is another potential returner that wouldn’t be on the roster solely for a special teams role. The same goes for rookie receiver Tai Felton. When it comes to trimming the roster those are things to consider. 

The Vikings must improve their return game. It feels like forever since Cordarrelle Patterson and Marcus Sherels made it a strength. The cast of returner contenders probably include the following.

Isaiah Rodgers

Rondale Moore

Tai Felton

Silas Bolden

Myles Price

Dontae Fleming

This might be one of the most fun competitions of training camp. 

Training camp is days away. 

Throwback Thursday: Flea Flicker Favorite Football Books

I bring this list back when I’m thinking about football books. Since I’m often reading a football book, I don’t actually bring it back as often as I’m thinking about them. I am this time. Here are 27 of my favorite football books. 

27. Namath: a Biography, Mark Kriegel, 2005
If you're at all curious about the Joe Namath legend this is the book to read.

26. Friday Night Lights, H.G. Bissinger, 1990
A football classic. As much sociological study as football book.

25. Going Long: The Wild Ten Year Saga of the American Football League in the Words of Those Who Lived It, Jeff Miller, 2004
Perhaps the best book on the wildly entertaining American Football League.

24. The Mannings, Lars Anderson, 2016
Any book about the Mannings that's still talking about Archie's football career 150 pages in is an entertaining read. Not to take anything away from the Manning kids but their careers are so fresh in our football minds. Archie was a very good quarterback on a very bad team. He was also one of my favorite non-Minnesota Vikings players of his era. He's a better dad. This book is as much, or more, about raising a family and relationships as it is about football. A great book.

23. About Three Bricks Shy of a Load, Roy Blount Jr., 1974
This book is an excellent season-long, inside look at the Pittsburgh Steelers just before the team took over the NFL.

22. Chuck Noll: His Life's Work, Michael MacCambridge, 2016
Blount's book took a close look at one season before the Steelers' dynasty. MacCambridge's book looks at the life of the man behind it. It's hard to imagine the Steelers being a laughing-stock but they were for nearly all of their first 40 years in the league. When Dan Rooney hired Chuck Noll in 1969 the Steelers started to change. Quickly. MacCambrige tackles one of the game's great coaches and perhaps least known.

21. Giants and Heroes: A Daughter's Memories of Y. A. Tittle, Dianne Tittle De Laet, 1998
A look at a football star from the rare perspective of his daughter. This book is simply wonderful.

20. Native American Son: The Life and Sporting Legend of Jim Thorpe, Kate Buford, 2010
This is the best book on one of America's greatest athletes.

19. Kassulke, Karl Kassulke, 1981
The former Vikings safety delivers the wildly entertaining characters on the Minnesota Vikings of the 1960s. It's a must for Vikings fans.

18. Paper Lion, George Plimpton, 1966
George Plimpton's writing. George Plimpton's football talents. The 1963 Detroit Lions. Fun times.

17. PB: The Paul Brown Story, Paul Brown with Jack Clary, 1978
From stories of his days attending San Francisco 49ers games at Kezar Stadium in the 1940s, my father introduced me to the coaching legend of Paul Brown. As a result those Cleveland Browns teams and their coach will always have a fond place for me.

16. A Civil War, John Feinstein, 1997
A terrific, intimate look into the incredible Army-Navy rivalry.

15. Dutch Clark: The Life of an NFL Legend and the Birth of the Detroit Lions, Chris Willis, 2012

This book would probably make the list simply because of the subject. One of the best, and one of my favorite, players of the NFL’s early years was woefully covered. Chris Willis uncovered him. 

14. Finding the Winning Edge, Bill Walsh, 1997
This is the coach's manual on how to run a football team.

13. Instant Replay, Jerry Kramer and Dick Schaap, 1968
Jerry Kramer's diary of the Packers 1967 season. There are a few season-long, peak-behind-the-curtains books on this list. This book is one of the first to be written and still one of the best.

12. Halas by Halas, The Autobiography of George Halas, George Halas with Gwen Morgan and Arthur Veysey, 1979
George Halas' story is the story of the NFL.

11. The Pros: A Documentary of Professional Football in America, Robert Riger with commentary from Tex Maule, 1960
This is a unique coffee table-type book. It presents the NFL to the reader through the fantastic artwork and photography of Robert Riger and commentary of Tex Maule.

10. Total Football/Total Football II, Bob Carroll, David Neft, John Thorn, and Michael Greshman, 1997/1998
You want a pro football encyclopedia? Here's your pro football encyclopedia.

9. Run to Daylight, Vince Lombardi with W.C. Heinz, 1963
Perhaps the first "inside look" football books. Vince Lombardi takes the reader through a week of preparation for a game during the 1962 season.

8. The Game That Was, Myron Cope, 1970
Some of my favorite football books are the oral histories of the early days of the game. Myron Cope reached many of the game's best in this one. Dutch Clark, Johnny Blood, Marion Motley, Bill Willis, Bulldog Turner.

7. The Pro Football Chronicle: The Complete (Well Almost Record of the Best Players, the Greatest Photos, the Hardest Hits, the Biggest Scandals), Dan Daly and Bob O'Donnell, 1990
As the title suggests the book has a lot of everything.

6. Education of a Coach, David Halberstam, 2005
What could be better than a book written by a writer like David Halberstam about a coach like Bill Belichick?

5. What a Game They Played, Richard Whittingham, 1984
This is probably the best oral history book on football. Whittingham brings the reader the voices and experiences of many of the greats that made football great. Mel Hein, Don Hutson, Sid Luckman, Sammy Baugh, and so many others.

4. Red Grange: The Life And Legacy of the NFL’s First Surperstar, 2019

This might be the most thoroughly researched and comprehensive book on an individual football player. And it’s a fun read. 

3. A Thinking Man's Guide To Pro Football/The New Thinking Man's Guide To Pro Football, Paul Zimmerman, 1970 and 1984
This book is so great that it had to be done twice. I only wish that there was a Newer... and Newest... editions as well. Zimmerman was probably the most knowledgeable football writer in the business. He could talk and write about the game like a coach.

2. When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi, David Maraniss, 1999
The best football biography that I've read. There were a handful of years in which I had to re-read this book prior to the start of the NFL season. Just to get ready.

1. America's Game: The Epic Story of How Pro Football Captured a Nation, Michael MacCambridge, 2005
Michael MacCambridge tells the story of the NFL since World War II through a focus on the Browns, Chiefs, Colts, Cowboys, Raiders, and Rams. Well researched and very well written. If you want one book on the history of the NFL to read, this is it.

Although none made this list I can't leave a list of my favorite football books without mentioning some of those written by Jim Dent. Every one is a treat.
Twelve Mighty Orphans
Junction Boys
Monster of the Midway
Resurrection
Courage Beyond the Game: The Freddie Steinmark Story
Take your pick. Each is a well-written, incredible story. I hope that Dent can get his life in order. For himself mostly but also for the incredible football stories that he still has to tell.

First Round Signing Tracker: And Then There Was One

It often takes the start of training camp to trigger action. Since he was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Texas corner Jahdae Barron has been unsigned. The Broncos open their training camp doors for rookies today. After weeks of offseason practices and sitting idle for the month since those practices ended, Barron finally signed his first NFL contract on the eve of his first training camp. Better late than never. 

The signing of the final first round draft pick is looking more like never. The standoff between the Cincinnati Bengals and Texas A&M pass rusher Shemar Stewart has been contentious. Leave it to Mike Brown and the Bengals to make the breezy signing process of NFL first round picks difficult. The Bengals rookies are scheduled to arrive for training camp on Saturday. Perhaps Stewart and the Bengals will find common ground on Friday night like Barron and the Broncos did last night. With the notoriously penny-pinching Brown involved, I have my doubts. 

And then there was one. 

1.   Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami - Signed

2.   Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado - Signed

3.   New York Giants: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State - Signed

4.   New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU - Signed

5.   Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan - Signed

6.   Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State - Signed

7.   New York Jets: Amand Membou, OT, Missouri - Signed

8.   Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona - Signed

9.   New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas - Signed

10. Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan - Signed

11. San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia - Signed

12. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama - Signed

13. Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan - Signed

14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State - Signed

15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia - Signed

16. Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi - Signed

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State - Signed

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State - Signed

20. Denver Broncos: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas - Signed

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon - Signed

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina - Signed

23. Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas - Signed

24. Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State - Signed

25. New York Giants: Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi - Signed

26. Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee - Signed

27. Baltimore Ravens: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia - Signed

28. Detroit Lions: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State - Signed

29. Washington Commanders: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon - Signed

30. Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky - Signed

31. Philadelphia Eagles: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama - Signed

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State - Signed

***

31 of the 32 players selected in the first round have singed their first NFL contract. 

Will Shemar Stewart be the first extended holdout of this easy-signing era? Someone has to budge before that happens. Right? 

Top 20 Minnesota Vikings Players

All Minnesota Vikings players will report for training camp in a week. That means another week of doing things like ranking the top 20 players on the Vikings roster. 

Top 20 Minnesota Vikings Players

20. Will Fries, RG

19. Ryan Kelly, C

18. Isaiah Rodgers, CB

17. Dallas Turner, OLB

16. Ivan Pace Jr., LB

15. Jonathan Allen, DL

14. Javon Hargrave, DL

13. Brian O’Neill, RT

12. Aaron Jones, RB

11. Harrison Smith, S

10. J.J. McCarthy, QB

  9. Blake Cashman, LB

  8. Joshua Metellus, S

  7. Andrew Van Ginkel, OLB

  6. T.J. Hockenson, TE

  5. Byron Murphy, Jr., CB

  4. Jordan Addison, WR

  3. Jonathan Greenard, OLB

  2. Christian Darrisaw, LT

  1. Justin Jefferson, WR

***

After Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw, this ranking could go in dozens of different directions. The Mike Zimmer-Rick Spielman regime did the Kevin O’Connell-Kwesi Adofo-Mensah a huge favor with Jefferson and Darrisaw. Those two players are the team’s franchise cornerstone players of the present and foreseeable future.

Safeties Joshua Metellus and Harrison Smith and right tackle Brian O’Neill are also gifts from the previous regime. 

 Placing quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the middle of this list is hopeful. He’s yet to take a regular snap for the Vikings but all my expectations for the kid are sky high. I believe that will be higher than #10 on next year’s list. 

McCarthy is one of six players in this ranking that has yet to take a regular season snap for the Vikings. 

J.J. McCarthy

Javon Hargrave

Jonathan Allen

Isaiah Rodgers

Ryan Kelly

Will Fries

Another player that just missed this list is running back Jordan Mason. The offseason trade with the San Francisco 49ers to add Mason might be the underrated move of the offseason. 

Can’t wait for training camp. One. More. Week. 

First Round Signing Tracker

The rookies for the Los Angeles Chargers have already reported to their first training camp. The rookies for the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks report tomorrow. NFL Training Camp season will soon be fully underway. In these days of easy rookie contract negotiations it’s surprising to see two unsigned first-round picks so close to the start of training camp. The standoff between the Cincinnati Bengals and Shemar Stewart has reportedly become especially contentious. Leave it to Mike Brown and his penny-pinching ways to muck up something so easy. Who knows what’s going on with the Denver Broncos and Jahdae Barron. 

If two unsigned first-round picks is concerning, the signing status of the second-round picks is another level of concern. Only two of the players selected in the second round have signed their rookie contracts. If the general football-following public cares at all about the signing progress of the rookies, it’s the players selected in the first round. Here’s another look at the signings of those players.

1.   Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami - Signed

2.   Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado - Signed

3.   New York Giants: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State - Signed

4.   New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU - Signed

5.   Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan - Signed

6.   Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State - Signed

7.   New York Jets: Amand Membou, OT, Missouri - Signed

8.   Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona - Signed

9.   New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas - Signed

10. Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan - Signed

11. San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia - Signed

12. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama - Signed

13. Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan - Signed

14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State - Signed

15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia - Signed

16. Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi - Signed

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State - Signed

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State - Signed

20. Denver Broncos: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon - Signed

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina - Signed

23. Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas - Signed

24. Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State - Signed

25. New York Giants: Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi - Signed

26. Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee - Signed

27. Baltimore Ravens: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia - Signed

28. Detroit Lions: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State - Signed

29. Washington Commanders: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon - Signed

30. Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky - Signed

31. Philadelphia Eagles: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama - Signed

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State - Signed

***

30 of the 32 players selected in the first round have singed their first NFL contract. 

Will Shemar Stewart be the first extended holdout of this easy-signing era? Someone has to budge before that happens. Right? 

All-Time SEC Minnesota Vikings Team

It’s on to an All-Time Minnesota Vikings Team made up of players from SEC schools. 

All-Time SEC Minnesota Vikings Team

Offense

Quarterbacks

Fran Tarkenton, Georgia

Running Back

Moe Williams, Kentucky

Fullback

Tony Richardson, Auburn

Receivers

Justin Jefferson, LSU

Jarius Wright, Arkansas

Tight End

Jermaine Wiggins, Georgia

Offensive Tackles

Everett Lindsay, Mississippi

Tim Irwin, Tennessee

Guards

Anthony Herrera, Tennessee

Bernard Dafney, Tennessee

Center

Ryan Kelly, Alabama

Defense

Defensive Ends

Danielle Hunter, LSU

Jonathan Greenard, Florida

Defensive Tackles

Henry Thomas, LSU

Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama

Linebackers

Dwayne Rudd, Alabama

Lonnie Warwick, LSU

Dallas Hunter, Alabama

Cornerbacks

Bobby Bryant, South Carolina

Willie Teal, LSU

Safeties

Corey Chavous, Vanderbilt

Jamarca Sanford, Mississippi

All-Time Big-10 Minnesota Vikings Team

It’s on to an All-Time Minnesota Vikings Team made up of players from Big-10 schools. 

All-Time Big-10 Minnesota Vikings Team

Offense

Quarterback

J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

I’m going with the quarterback that has yet to snap for the Vikings over Kirk Cousins. 

Running Back

Robert Smith, Ohio State

Fullback

Bill Brown, Illinois

Receivers

Cris Carter, Ohio State

Anthony Carter, Michigan

Tight End

T.J. Hockenson, Iowa

Offensive Tackles

Riley Reiff, Iowa

Korey Stringer, Ohio State

Guards

Steve Hutchinson, Michigan

Milt Sunde, Minnesota

Center

Kirk Lowdermilk, Ohio State

Defense

Defensive Ends

Carl Eller, Minnesota

Jim Marshall, Ohio State

Defensive Tackle

Ifeadi Odenigbo, Northwestern

Linebackers

Chad Greenway, Iowa

Scott Studwell, Illinois

Wally Hilgenberg, Iowa

Cornerbacks

Antoine Winfield, Ohio State

Trae Waynes, Michigan State

Safeties

Paul Krause, Iowa

Joshua Metellus, Michigan 

All-Time Pac-12 Minnesota Vikings Team

To help pass the time between now and the start of training camp, here’s an All-Time Minnesota Vikings Team made up of players from the Pac-12 schools. 

All-Time Pac-12 Minnesota Vikings Team

Offense

Quarterback

Warren Moon, Washington

Running Back

Hugh McElhenny, Washington

Fullback

Rick Fenney, Washington

Receivers

Ahmad Rashad, Oregon

Jordan Addison, USC

Tight End

John Beasley, California

Offensive Tackles

Gary Zimmerman, Oregon

Ron Yary, USC

Guards

Randall McDaniel, Arizona State

Ed White, California

Center

None

Defense

Defensive Ends

Doug Martin, Washington

Everson Griffen, USC

Defensive Tackles

Keith Millard, Washington State

Harrison Phillips, Stanford

Linebackers

Anthony Barr, UCLA

Eric Kendricks, UCLA

Fred McNeill, UCLA

Cornerbacks

Byron Murphy Jr., Washington

Jackie Wallace, Arizona

Safeties

Joey Browner, USC

Camryn Bynum, California

Throwback Thursday: Favorite Football Flicks

This post was originally posted prior to the Accademy Awards in 2018. It's been re-posted on several occasion since. Basically, it's been re-posted every time football flicks have been on my mind. These are very strange times. Times that call for a football flick. Here are 21 of my favorites. 

21. The Waterboy (1998)

A guilty pleasure movie. The football action is outrageous. 

20. Semi-Tough (1977)
A new addition to the list. Dan Jenkins' book is far more entertaining than the movie but the movie is still fun. Plus, former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp is in it. He plays a quarterback named Hose. Gotta love it. 

19. Leatherheads (2008)

This movie depicting the very early days of professional football would probably be higher on the list if I hadn't entered into it with such high hopes. It's an entertaining movie but probably one that I need to see again. Maybe it gets replaced on this list by The Replacements.

18. The Express (2008) 

The tragic story of Ernie Davis. It might be higher if not for some liberties taken with history. Like Art Modell being the Browns owner in the 1950s.

17. Invincible (2006)

The improbable football career of NFL-walk-on Vince Papale. Who doesn't love a story like this?

16. All The Right Moves (1983)

The most amazing thing about this movie is that Tom Cruise is actually believable as a high school cornerback.

15. Rudy (1993)
Some people love this movie. Others hate it. I guess that I'm somewhere in the middle. 

14. When The Game Stands Tall (2015)

You just knew that someone was going to make a movie about the incredible story of coach Bob Ladouceur and the De La Salle High Spartans. This was a nicely done look at the season that saw the loss that ended their 151-game win streak as well as the win that was arguably the greatest in school history. 

13. We Are Marshall (2006)

The remarkable rise of a town, a university, and a football team from a devastating plane crash. A great story. 

12. Any Given Sunday (1999)

Oliver Stone with a football movie? Never would have pegged that pairing. 

11. The Longest Yard (1974)

It's a classic. And Joe Kapp's in it. And Ray Nitschke. 

10. The Program (1993)

Despite being a fictional story it probably touches frighteningly close to the truth.

9.  Draft Day (2014)

Some of the trades are ridiculous but it's a very entertaining look at the greatest non-playing day on the football calendar. 

8.  Brian's Song (1971)

This one set the bar for tear-jerker football movies. Great story. Memorable performances. 

7.  Knute Rockne: All-American

A timeless look at one of football's great coaches. 

6.  Everybody's All-American (1988) 

Adapted from the terrific book by Frank Deford. A great but depressing movie. 

5.  Paper Lion (1968)

Another movie adapted from a terrific book. Alan Alda is excellent as George Plimpton. So excellent that I often picture Alda when I think of Plimpton. 

4.  Heaven Can Wait (1978)

A fine remake of Here Come's Mr. Jordan (1941) with a football spin. There was a time, a long time ago, when this was my favorite movie of any genre. 

3.  Undefeated (2011)

This is probably the only football movie to take home an Academy Award. It won for Best Documentary. A great story. A great movie. 

2.  Remember The Titans (2000) 

Great movie. Entertaining movie. You have Denzel Washington but you also have unknown youngsters like Ryan Gosling, Donald Faison, and Hayden Panettiere. 

1.  Friday Night Lights (2006)

Buzz Bissinger's book was outstanding. The movie was good but Friday Night Lights earns the top spot on this list because of the unbelievable television series. They may have lost some traction in the second season but they regained it in the third and never lost it again. This series was one of the best things that I've ever seen on television.

Minnesota Vikings Players With Highest Career Earnings

Earlier this week, the fine folks at VikingzFanPage put together this list of the Minnesota Vikings players with the highest career earnings. I found the list interesting.

Minnesota Vikings With Highest Career Earnings

10. Byron Murphy Jr., CB

      $27 million

  9. Christian Darrisaw, OT

      $30 million

  8. Aaron Jones Sr., RB

      $41.6 million

  7. T.J. Hockenson, TE

      $50 million

  6. Justin Jefferson, WR

      $51.8 million

  5. Brian O’Neill, OT

      $61.2 million

  4. Ryan Kelly, C

      $67.9 million

  3. Jonathan Allen, DT

      $76.5 million

  2. Javon Hargrave, DT

      $83 million

  1. Harrison Smith, S

      $96.4 million

A few thoughts:

1. The financial makeup of an NFL team sure looks a lot different when a ton of money isn’t devoted to a quarterback.

2. A safety at #1? 

3. Three of the top four career earners have yet to take a snap for the Vikings. 

4. Unless Brian O’Neill can beat Father Time, only Byron Murphy Jr, Christian Darrisaw, T.J. Hockenson, and Justin Jefferson are long-term franchise cornerstones. 

5. It’s amazing how much money goes to the top quarterbacks. The going annual rate for a quarterback considered even remotely franchise-quality is about $60 million. That’s Brian O’Neill’s seven years and nearly Ryan Kelly’s nine years. 

Unsigned Draft Picks: By Round

Thanks to the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL and NFLPA, rookie holdouts are a thing of the past. The signings are inevitable. Although the current standoff between the Cincinnati Bengals and Shemar Stewart might put that to a test. Recently, the only difficulties come with the players selected in the second round. The agents for those players have been trying to get the fully guaranteed deals that only first-round picks have received. Only two players from the second round have signed their initial NFL contract. Both received a fully guaranteed deals. That should make the 30 remaining unsigned second-rounders even more determined. Here are the unsigned draft picks in each of the seven rounds.

First Round

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

20. Denver Broncos: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

2/32 unsigned

Second Round

35. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

36. Cleveland Browns: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

37. Miami Dolphins: Jonah Savaiinea, G, Arizona

38. New England Patriots: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

39. Chicago Bears: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

40. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville

41. Buffalo Bills: T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina

42. New York Jets: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU

43. San Francisco 49ers: Alfred Collins, DT, Texas

44. Dallas Cowboys: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College

45. Indianapolis Colts: JT Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State

46. Los Angeles Rams: Terrence Ferguson, TE, Oregon

47. Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

48. Houston Texans: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota

49. Cincinnati Bengals: Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina

50. Seattle Seahawks: Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami

51. Carolina Panthers: Nic Scourton, LB, Texas A&M

52. Tennessee Titans: Oluwafemi Oladejo, Edge, UCLA

53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

54. Green Bay Packers: Anthony Belton, OT, North Carolina State

55. Los Angeles Chargers: Tre Harris, WR, Mississippi 

56. Chicago Bears: Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College

57. Detroit Lions: Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia

58. Las Vegas Raiders: Jack Bech, WR, TCU

59. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall

60. Denver Broncos: RJ Harvey, RB, UCF

61. Washington Commanders: Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi

62. Chicago Bears: Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M 

63. Kansas City Chiefs: Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee

64. Philadelphia Eagles: Anthony Mukuba, S, Texas

30/32 unsigned

Third Round

38/38 signed

Fourth Round

107. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame

1/36 unsigned

Fifth Round

0/38 unsigned

Sixth Round

0/40 unsigned

Seventh Round

0/41 unsigned

Thanks mostly to the second round, 33/257 of the players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft remain unsigned. 

Minnesota Vikings Training Camp: 10 Most Intriguing Players

Minnesota Vikings Training Camp is now less than two weeks away. Here’s a look at ten of the team’s Most Intriguing Players.

10 Most Intriguing Players

1. Jeff Okudah, CB

Wouldn’t it be something if the Minnesota Vikings finally unlocked Jeff Okudah’s talent?

2. Dallas Turner, OLB

The Vikings will find a way to get Dallas Turner on the field. 

3. Rondale Moore, WR

If his knee is healthy, Rondale Moore has the quickness, agility, and versatility to give the Vikings a gadget player and offensive dimension they haven’t had. He may also contribute as a returner. With Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at the top of the team’s receiver depth chart, the position group is a team strength. If he can avoid the injuries that have nagged his first three seasons, Jalen Nailor is a strong #3. Third-round pick Tai Felton has terrific potential. Moore is a wildcard. He has the talent to make the Vikings receiver group a special group. 

4. Theo Jackson, S

An interesting aspect of Theo Jackson’s 2.5 years in Minnesota has been the reaction of defensive teammates when asked about the backup safety. There’s always an immediate smile. “He just makes plays.” They all say that. When Jackson has seen action the last couple years, he’s made plays. The players and coaches that know him best know that he’s ready for an expanded defensive role. Camryn Bynum will be missed but Theo Jackson is ready. 

5. J.J. McCarthy, QB

It wouldn’t be a list of intriguing players if the quarterback isn’t on that list. It’s the J.J. McCarthy era and I can’t wait to see it start. 

6. Jordan Mason, RB

Aaron Jones is RB1. Jones at his best makes the Vikings offense a stronger and more versatile group. Jordan Mason was acquired in a trade with the 49ers in the offseason. The Vikings decision-makers had an in-person look a Mason in Week 2 of last season. Mason was difficult to get on the ground. Now, he’s going to be that back for the Vikings. He’s a bull of a back. He will help in short-yardage and goal line situations. He should also take some of the hits that would be put on Jones. 

7. Isaiah Rodgers, CB

Isaiah Rodgers was a priority target in free agency to be a starter opposite Byron Murphy Jr. Considering their respective roles entering training camp, it would seem that Rodgers should swap places with Jeff Okudah on this list. Rodgers is at #7 because his role as a likely starter is a known thing. Okudah’s role is still in the works. As a result, he has greater intrigue. Rodgers has the talent and elite speed to be a playmaker and difference-maker. This is his first shot as an every-play defender. He may even be the Vikings kick returner. 

8. Ryan Kelly, C

With the Vikings relying on a first-time quarterback, Ryan Kelly could be one of the most significant additions of the offseason. An experienced center is a boost for an inexperienced quarterback. Clark is the fulcrum of a vastly improved offensive line. 

9. Donovan Jackson, G

The last time the Vikings selected a guard in the first round, Randall McDaniel went on to an incredible Hall of Fame career. Donovan Jackson won’t have similar expectations. At the time, McDaniel didn’t have those expectations either. I can’t wait to see Christian Darrisaw and Jackson on the left-side of the Vikings new-look offensive line. It’s a pairing I hope one day rivals that of Gary Zimmerman and Randall McDaniel. 

10. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL

The Vikings didn’t have a lot of draft picks this year. With one of the picks they did have, I believe that they got a steal in the fifth round with Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. He’s a raw talent that might’ve been a Day 1 pick with another year at Georgia. The Vikings rebuilt the defensive line in free agency with the additions of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. With Harrison Phillips closing on 30 and Allen and Hargrave past 30, a defensive line rotation will be key. Ingram-Dawkins has the talent to soon be the first off the bench and an eventual defensive line fixture. 

Minnesota Vikings Training Camp: Most Intriguing Position Groups

In two weeks, Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks, rookies, and perhaps a few others will be reporting TCO Performance Center for training camp. Two days later, the rest of the team will report. Minnesota Vikings Training Camp is so close. Every one of the team’s position groups brings some level of intrigue. Here’s a look at some of the most intriguing. 

Quarterback

It always starts with the quarterback. Fran Tarkenton retired after the 1978 season. It feels like the Vikings have been searching for his replacement ever since. There’s been a legion of contenders. Tommy Kramer, Rich Gannon, Wade Wilson, Brad Johnson, Daunte Culpepper, Christian Ponder, Teddy Bridgewater, Kirk Cousins. Injuries, lack of patience, and ineptitude kept any of the legion from being a long-term answer. Perhaps it’s because he’s the current contender that makes J.J. McCarthy so intriguing. There’s something about the kid. He’s a winner. He a leader. He connects with everyone he meets. On the field, he looks and plays like the perfect quarterback for Kevin O’Connell’s offense. I can’t wait to see the start of the J.J. McCarthy era.

Offensive Line

The Vikings finally spent an offseason focused on improving the offensive line. Fans have been begging for this sort of attention for most of the past decade. The interior of the offensive line is new. The Vikings added center Ryan Kelly and right guard in free agency. They selected left guard Donovan Jackson in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The three new starters on the interior will be bookended by arguably the best offensive tackle duo in the league, left tackle Christian Darrisaw and right tackle Brian O’Neill. As with quarterback, the offensive line isn’t so much intriguing as it is exciting. 

Defensive Line

It wasn’t just the offensive line that saw a great deal of offseason attention. The Vikings added Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in free agency. Each is an outstanding addition. The intrigue on the defensive line comes in the training camp competition for depth roles. Starters Harrison Phillips, Allen, and Hargrave are near or past 30 years. An effective rotation will be necessary. The competition to be part of that rotation is between an intriguing mix of late-round and undrafted players.

Jalen Redmond

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Taki Taimani

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Alexander Williams

Elijah Williams

Travis Bell

Jonathan Harris

As a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is the highest drafted of the bunch. For me, the competition for the final defensive line spots is the most intriguing of the Vikings training camp. 

Cornerback

From the national media’s perspective, it would seem that the most intriguing aspect of the Vikings cornerback group are players that aren’t on the roster. Most of these talking heads appear to believe that the Vikings are lacking at cornerback. I believe that the Vikings are perfectly content with the players they have. It’s a new group. Only Byron Murphy Jr., Mekhi Blackmon, and Dwight McGlothern return and Blackmon missed last season with a knee injury. The Vikings cornerbacks are a young group. That’s a pleasant change from the old farts that manned the position last year. The expectation is the Murphy and free agent addition Isaiah Rodgers will be the starters. The competition for CB3 will be fun. Former third overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, Jeff Okudah will be part of that competition. The plans for Okudah will be interesting. If the Vikings coaches can bring out the talent that once got him selected third overall, Okudah’s signing will be one of the league’s great steals. 

Outside Linebacker

The Vikings outside linebacker group is intriguing due to the talent at the top and the competition for depth. Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel were outstanding throughout their first year in Minnesota. They were so outstanding that first-round pick Dallas Turner couldn’t get on the field. Brian Flores and the Vikings defensive coaches will find a way to get all three on the field this season. It’s going to be beautiful to watch. The competition to round out the group will be between Gabriel Murphy, Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and Chaz Chambliss. 

Minnesota Vikings Quarter-Century Team

A quarter-century will creep up on you. 25 years into this century has brought various quarter-century teams. Here’s one for the Minnesota Vikings. The idle time between the end of OTAs and Training Camp is the time for things like this. 

Minnesota Vikings Quarter-Century Team

Offense

Quarterback 

Daunte Culpepper

Daunte Culpepper edges out Kirk Cousins. Each earned three Pro Bowls. Culpepper’s 2004 season was MVP worthy.

Running Back

Adrian Peterson

Easy. Adrian Peterson is arguably the league’s running back of the quarter-century.

Fullback

C.J. Ham

C.J. Ham edges Tony Richardson. Richardson was outstanding as a team leader and mentor for Peterson but Ham did more as a runner and receiver. Special teams too.

Receivers

Randy Moss

Justin Jefferson

Adam Thielen

Randy Moss and Justin Jefferson are easy. Adam Thielen edges Stefon Diggs and Percy Harvin.

Tight End

Kyle Rudolph

Kyle Rudolph has the tight end high moments and longevity of the quarter-century.

Offensive Tackles

Christian Darrisaw

Brian O’Neill

I’m going with the current offensive tackles. 

Guards

Steve Hutchinson

David Dixon

Steve Hutchinson is an all-time great. David Dixon was a solid right guard for about a decade.

Center

Matt Birk

On the field, Matt Birk is an easy choice. 

Defense

Defensive Ends

Jared Allen

Danielle Hunter

Jared Allen takes his much-deserved spot in Canton this summer. Danielle Hunter is still working on his potential Hall of Fame career. 

Defensive Tackles

Kevin Williams

Pat Williams

The Williams Wall are the Vikings defensive tackles of the quarter-century. Kevin Williams should find a path to Canton,

Linebackers

Chad Greenway

Eric Kendricks

Anthony Barr

This trio feels right. 

Cornerbacks

Antoine Winfield

Xavier Rhodes

Antoine Winfield and Xavier Rhodes are easily the best Vikings corners of the quarter-century. 

Safeties

Harrison Smith

Joshua Metellus

Harrison Smith is automatic. For half of the quarter-century, the Vikings have been searching for a skilled safety to pair with Smith. There have been so many contenders. Based on his singular 2003 season, Corey Chavous earned consideration. Andrew Sendejo? Anthony Harris? Camryn Bynum? Each is deserving of this quarter-century spot. On his two seasons as a do-everything, play-everywhere safety, I’m going with Joshua Metellus. 

Special Teams

Kicker

Ryan Longwell

Ryan Longwell provided the only reliable Vikings kicking since 1998.

Punter

Chris Kluwe

From productivity to longevity, it’s Chris Kluwe. 

Long Snapper

Cullen Loeffler

It’s tough to judge long snappers. Cullen Loeffler edges Andrew DePoala on longevity. 

Kick Returner

Cordarrelle Patterson

Despite Cordarrelle Patterson rivaling any returner in NFL history, there is a debate between him and Percy Harvin. Following that debate, I’m going with Patterson. 

Punt Returner

Marcus Sherels

The return duo of Cordarrelle Patterson and Marcus Sherels was the league’s best. 

First Round Signing Tracker

And then there were two. The Jacksonville Jaguars signing of #2 pick Travis Hunter brought the number of unsigned first-round picks to two. Only two of the players selected in the second round have signed their rookie contracts. The negotiating standstill of the negotiations with second-round picks is startling.. If the general football-following public cares at all about signing progress of the rookies, it’s the players selected in the first round. Here’s another look at the signings of those players.

1.   Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami - Signed

2.   Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado - Signed

3.   New York Giants: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State - Signed

4.   New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU - Signed

5.   Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan - Signed

6.   Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State - Signed

7.   New York Jets: Amand Membou, OT, Missouri - Signed

8.   Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona - Signed

9.   New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas - Signed

10. Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan - Signed

11. San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia - Signed

12. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama - Signed

13. Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan - Signed

14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State - Signed

15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia - Signed

16. Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi - Signed

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State - Signed

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State - Signed

20. Denver Broncos: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon - Signed

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina - Signed

23. Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas - Signed

24. Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State - Signed

25. New York Giants: Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi - Signed

26. Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee - Signed

27. Baltimore Ravens: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia - Signed

28. Detroit Lions: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State - Signed

29. Washington Commanders: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon - Signed

30. Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky - Signed

31. Philadelphia Eagles: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama - Signed

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State - Signed

***

30 of the 32 players selected in the first round have singed their first NFL contract. 

With the ridiculous negotiating stance of the Cincinnati Bengals might be forcing Shemar Stewart to be the first training camp holdout in years. 

The Bengals-Stewart standoff has been well documented. The Denver Broncos-Jahdae Barron standoff is a mystery. 

Top Ten Minnesota Vikings Safeties

The ranking of the Top Ten Minnesota Vikings players at each position continues with the safeties. 

Top 10 Minnesota Vikings Safeties

1.   Paul Krause 

2.   Harrison Smith

3.   Joey Browner

4.   Karl Kassulke

5.   Robert Griffith 

6.   Orlando Thomas 

7.   Joshua Metellus

8.   Camryn Bynum

9.   Corey Chavous 

10. Anthony Harris 

At the very top, it’s a strong group. Paul Krause has a bust in Canton. Harrison Smith is still building on a career that should get him there. If injuries hadn’t whittled away at his talents, Joey Browner would be there.

Paul Krause’s 81 interceptions is one of the league’s unbreakable records. Playing the safety position as a roving centerfield, he did Ed Reed-like things decades before Ed Reed did them. As a kid, I thought that every football that left the opposing quarterback’s hand was destined to end up in the hands of Paul Krause. Harrison Smith is the most versatile safety I’ve ever seen. In the box, deep, pressuring the quarterback, defending the run. He does it all. He did it at an All-Pro level for years. Entering his 14th season, he’s still doing it a high level. Unfortunately, he’s incredibly underrated. He should’ve been named to the 2010s All-Decade team. He should have a serious Hall of Fame discussion five years after he retires. His play earned at least that. At his best, Joey Browner was every bit the player of Hall of Fame safety peers Ronnie Lott and Ken Easley. From 1987-90, he was 1st-team All-Pro three times and 2nd-team All-Pro once. Being considered among the best at his position for multiple years is usually enough for serious Hall of Fame consideration. Browner has yet to receive it. For the five years they played together, Karl Kassulke was the hard-hitting enforcer to Paul Krause’s roving center fielder. They were a terrific strong and free safety pair. Kassulke’s career ended when he was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident while on his way to training camp.

Robert Griffith and Orlando Thomas were another very good safety pair. Griffith was very good for longer. Once he broke into the starting lineup in 1996 he became a defensive staple until 2001. With a league-leading nine interceptions as a rookie, Thomas made an immediate impact on the Vikings defense. Unfortunately, injuries were a career-long constant. Over his seven years in Minnesota, he played in all 16 games twice. When he was on the field, he was excellent. 

Calling Joshua Metellus a safety is far too limiting. He’s so much more than that and he’s flourished in Brian Flores’ versatile defense. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Metellus was never supposed to be anything more than a valuable special teams player. Then along came Flores and a defense with a ridiculously varied role for Metellus. Two years later and the modestly talented football player is a franchise cornerstone. He’s a few seasons away from a spot in the Top 4 of this list. 

Over the past four seasons, Camryn Bynum played his way onto this list. Then he left this offseason in free agency. It was a damn shame. He received a lot of attention for his outrageous celebrations but he was a terrific player for the Vikings. 

The Vikings signed Corey Chavous as a cornerback. It wasn’t until he was moved to safety that he really started making an impact. He was probably the team’s best player in 2003. It often felt like he made every tackle. As and undrafted free agent, it took Anthony Harris a few years to get some traction in the league. Once he broke into the starting lineup, he started a strong, three-year run as Harrison Smith’s partner at the back of the Vikings defense.

Top Ten Minnesota Vikings Cornerbacks

The ranking of the Top Ten Minnesota Vikings players at each position continues with the cornerbacks. 

Top 10 Minnesota Vikings Cornerbacks

1.   Antoine Winfield 

2.   Bobby Bryant

3.   Xavier Rhodes 

4.   Carl Lee

5.   Nate Wright 

6.   Ed Sharockman 

7.   Dewayne Washington 

8.   Najee Mustafaa 

9.   Audray McMillian 

10. Brian Williams 

One of the oddities of the Vikings draft history is that a cornerback wasn’t drafted in the first round until Dewayne Washington was selected with the 18th pick in the 1994 NFL Draft. The second first-round corner was Xavier Rhodes in 2013. Adding high-end cornerbacks in the draft wasn’t a focus until Mike Zimmer was named head coach in 2014. From 2014-21, the Vikings selected three cornerbacks in the first round. Washington and Rhodes made this list. None of three more recent first-round corners did. Through the varying draft strategies, the Vikings have a modest cornerback tradition. 

The free agency signing of Antoine Winfield in 2004 is one of the best in Vikings franchise history. From 2004-12, he was brilliant. It’s ridiculous that he received no postseason honors until 2008. He made the Pro Bowl from 2008-10. He should’ve made the first of a slew of Pro Bowls even before he joined the Vikings. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 1999 NFL Draft and was brilliant as soon as he became a full-time starter in 2000. In his nine years with the Vikings, Winfield had over 90 tackles five times. That’s a big number for any corner. It’s an especially big number for a 5’9” 180lb corner. It was amazing to watch Winfield’s refined tackling in a league with so much sloppy tackling. Too many defensive backs are looking for the big hit. Winfield just wanted to wrap up and get the runner on the ground. It was wonderful to see. He should’ve been an annual All-Pro simply for his tackling. Winfield was an excellent outside corner. He was even better on the inside. With only three Pro Bowls and one 2nd-team All-Pro, Winfield will probably never get the Hall of Fame discussion he deserves. In my opinion, during an era with Ty Law, Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson, Ronde Barber, and Darelle Revis, Antoine Winfield was one of the best corners in the league. He’s an easy choice for the best corner in Vikings franchise history.

When one looks at the great Vikings defenses of the Super Bowl years, it’s easy to focus on the defensive line. From there, it’s a solid group of linebackers and Paul Krause and his crazy number of interceptions. It’s so easy to overlook skinny, 6’1” corner Bobby Bryant. It felt like opposing offenses routinely overlooked him as all he did was put together a 13-year career filled with big plays. His 51 career interceptions are second to Krause’s 53 in Vikings franchise history. Many of Bryant’s big plays came in the biggest games. In terms of pure cornerbacking talent, Xavier Rhodes and Carl Lee are arguably the best in Vikings franchise history. From 2015-17, Rhodes was the best corner in the league. If he’d maintained that level of play for another couple of seasons, he’d challenge Antoine Winfield for #1 on this list and (more importantly) have a strong Hall of Fame argument. He was terrific as he repeatedly shut down the best receivers in the league. His somewhat rapid fade was sad and shocking to watch. Like Rhodes, Lee had about a three-year stretch during which he was one of the best cover corners in the league. It’s tough to separate the two. Lee was probably better for longer while Rhodes’ best years were better. 

For most of the 1970s, Nate Wright was Bobby Bryant’s cornerback partner. Wright’s most memorable moment was probably his most forgettable moment. He was the defender that Dallas Cowboys receiver Drew Pearson shoved to the ground in the 1975 divisional playoffs. The non-flagged OPI cost one of the Vikings most talented teams another shot at the Super Bowl. Wright was much more than that one play. Despite receiving no post-season accolades, he was one of the league’s best cover corners for most of the 1970s. Ed Sharockman is at #6 on this list mostly for his 40 career interceptions. He was the Vikings top corner from the frustrating expansion years to the early years of dominance in the late 1960s. 

As the Vikings first first-round corner, Dewayne Washington was an immediate starter as a rookie. He was a solid player for all of his four years with the Vikings. I thought that he was going to be a franchise cornerstone. Instead, he left for the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency. To this day, I can’t believe that the Vikings let him get away. I know that there’s a lot we don’t now about negotiations between player and team but this one will always be a big Vikings mistake for me. Perhaps it’s his name change from Reggie Rutland. Maybe it’s because he played only five seasons (three as a starter) for the Vikings. I always thought Najee Mustafaa was a very underrated football player. From 1989-91, he and Carl Lee were an excellent corner pair. Audray McMillian is another underrated corner. He followed Mustafaa as the starter opposite Carl Lee. Unlike Mustafaa, McMillian did have one season with accolades. Due to his eight interceptions and two pick-6s, he was named 1st-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl in 1992. 

Perhaps Earsell Mackbee, John Turner, Cedric Griffen, or the ageless Terence Newman might be the better choice for this list than Brian Williams. Like Dewayne Washington, I felt like the Vikings let a very good corner get away when Williams left in free agency. I really liked the potential of an Antoine Winfield-Brian Williams corner pairing. 

If Byron Murphy Jr. plays the next few seasons like he did last year, he’ll challenge for a spot in this list’s Top 5. 

Top Ten Minnesota Vikings Linebackers

The ranking of the Top Ten Minnesota Vikings players at each position continues with the linebackers.

Top 10 Minnesota Vikings Linebackers

1.   Matt Blair

2.   Anthony Barr

3.   Eric Kendricks

4.   Jeff Siemon

5.   Chad Greenway

6.   Ed McDaniel

7.   Ben Leber 

8.   E.J. Henderson 

9.   Roy Winston 

10. Lonnie Warwick 

10. Wally Hilgenberg

The Vikings defensive front is loaded with Hall of Famers, soon-to-be Hall of Famers, and could-be Hall of Famers. The team’s linebacker tradition doesn’t really have any players like that. Most of the above Top-10 can be presented in many ways. 

Matt Blair is the one Vikings linebacker that’s deserving of a Hall of Fame argument. I have doubts that he’ll ever get it. A lot of players were added in the 1970s to eventually take over for the great players that formed the Purple People Eaters. It was a very tall task for all of those new players. Blair was the one player that was up to the task. While he started a handful of games as a rookie in 1974, he became a full-time starter in 1976. Blair was soon one of the best linebackers in the league. He was named to the Pro Bowl six times and 1st-team All-Pro once. In addition to his outstanding play on defense, he was one of the best kick blockers I have ever seen. I don’t think that Anthony Barr ever got enough credit for all that he did in Mike Zimmer’s defense. He was a great blend of speed and power. Zimmer’s team-defense revolved around his talents, physically as well as mentally. He probably would’ve been a bigger star as an edge rusher in a 3-4 but he was great in Zimmer’s 4-3. From UCLA to the Vikings, Eric Kendricks was Anthony Barr’s long-time defensive partner. Drafted a year apart, they were an outstanding pairing in the middle of the Vikings defense. Despite his modest size, Kendricks could do everything required of an NFL middle linebacker. Blitz, stop the run, and drop in coverage. He was named 1st-team All-Pro and went to his only Pro Bowl in 2019. With only that one season of post-season accolades, Kendricks was wildly underrated. He was one of the best middle linebackers in the game for all of his eight years in Minnesota. 

Jeff Siemon may have been the only Vikings player to have a good game in Super Bowl XI. It felt like he made every tackle that day. The Vikings terrific front four and safety Paul Krause got most of the defensive attention in the 1970s. Siemon was deserving of some of it. He was a very good linebacker. With four Pro Bowl appearances, he did get some recognition for his play. Chad Greenway lost his rookie season to a torn ACL in his first preseason game. He came back in 2007 like it never happened. He played all of his 11-year career in Minnesota and the fans love him for it. He was a very good, and often great, linebacker for all of those 11 years. Ed McDaniel is one of the most underrated players in Vikings history. John Randle got most of the attention on those modest Vikings defenses of the 1990s. McDaniel was deserving of much more than he received. He was named to one Pro Bowl. It should’ve been about five. 

In my opinion, Chad Greenway, E.J. Henderson, and Ben Leber are the best trio of linebackers in Vikings franchise history. Greenway was always so steady. Leber always seemed to be there for the big play when the big play had to be made. Henderson was the heart of the defense. After the brutal broken leg late in the 2009 season, his play and leadership was missed in the playoffs.

The linebacker trio of Greenway, Henderson, and Leber just edges that of Roy Winston, Lonnie Warwick, and Wally Hilgenberg for the best in franchise history. Winston was the Vikings starting left-side linebacker from 1963-73. Warwick was the starting middle linebacker from 1966-70. Hilgenberg was the right-side linebacker from 1969-76. In 1969, the Vikings defense emerged as one of the best the league has ever seen. Most of the attention was focused on the outstanding front four. In terms of accolades, the trio of linebackers that played behind them were mostly anonymous. Despite the lack of attention, the trio was very good and were a big part of those dominant Vikings defenses. 

The strength of the current Vikings defense crafted by Brian Flores is its adaptability. At its base is a 3-4. If Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel build on what they did during their first season in Minnesota, I’ll be forced to rethink this traditional linebacker ranking. 3-4 outside linebackers are nothing like the linebackers of the Vikings past. Greenard and Van Ginkel were outstanding. In his second season, Dallas Turner will unleash his untapped talent. 

Top Ten Minnesota Vikings Defensive Tackles

The ranking of the Top Ten Minnesota Vikings players at each position continues with the defensive tackles. 

The Vikings defensive end tradition is strong. Their defensive tackle tradition is even stronger. 

Top Ten Minnesota Vikings Defensive Tackles

1.   Alan Page

2.   John Randle

3.   Kevin Williams

4.   Keith Millard

5.   Henry Thomas

6.   Pat Williams

7.   Gary Larsen

8.   Linval Joseph

9.   Doug Sutherland

10. Tom Johnson

Older Vikings fans probably have Alan Page #1. Younger Vikings fans probably have John Randle #1. Both have a bust in Canton. 

Alan Page was a great football player. His play was one of the reasons I fell for the Vikings as a California kid in the 1970s. After his unreal 1971 season, Page became the first defensive player to ever be named league MVP. His career accolades are many and rival those of any defensive tackle in league history:

MVP

Defensive Player of the Year

5x 1st-team All-Pro

3x 2nd-team All-Pro

9x Pro Bowl

1970s All-Decade

Just as Page ripped up the league in the late 1960s and the 1970s, John Randle ripped up the league in the 1990s. He had eight seasons of double-digit sacks in his 11 years in Minnesota. With his riotous on-field behavior, snap-to-whistle effort, and ridiculous production, Randle was and continues to be a fan favorite. 

Kevin Williams started his Vikings career as a defensive end. He collected 10.5 sacks. He moved to the interior in his second season and was named 1st-team All-Pro and went to the Pro Bowl. Over the next nine years, Williams would be named 1st-team All-Pro four more times and go to five more Pro Bowls. His outstanding play over his 11 years in Minnesota would earn him 2000s All-Decade honors. It should eventually get him into Canton. If not for the injuries that derailed, and then ended, his brilliant career, Keith Millard would have a bust in Canton. From 1985-89, he played the defensive tackle position as well as anyone I’ve ever seen. He wrecked offenses. In 1988, Millard was runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year. In 1989, he won it. He was also fifth (1988) and third (1989) in voting for league MVP . 

For his first three years, Henry Thomas was Keith Millard’s defensive tackle partner. For his final three years in Minnesota, he was John Randle’s defensive tackle partner. For all of his eight years at the heart of the Vikings defense, Thomas was a steady and often outstanding football player. His best years were the eight years in Minnesota. His entire 14-year career is deserving of a Hall of Fame discussion. Pat Williams was a very good and fun football player. During his six-year Vikings career, he paired with Kevin Williams to form the “Williams Wall.” For half of those six years, the duo were named to the Pro Bowl. No one ran on the “Williams Wall.” Pat Williams is one of the best free agent signings in Vikings franchise history. Gary Larsen was the least acclaimed of the Vikings brilliant Purple People Eaters defensive line. While Alan Page, Carl Eller, and Jim Marshall often met at the quarterback, Larsen was always there to clean up what was left. From 1965-73, Larsen was a steady and productive presence on the Vikings front. That play earned him Pro Bowl honors in 1969 and 1970. In Pat Williams and Linval Joseph, the Vikings were successful in finding enormous run-stuffers in free agency. Joseph was often a lot more than just a run-stuffer. There were stretches in which he destroyed offensive line interiors tasked only with slowing him. While Williams had Kevin Williams as an outstanding defensive tackle partner, the Vikings never could find a similar every-down partner for Joseph. When Joseph was at his best, he was unblockable. Doug Sutherland took over for Gary Larsen as the least acclaimed member of the Vikings Purple People Eaters. Sutherland started his NFL career as a guard for the New Orleans Saints. The Vikings acquired him in 1971 and immediately moved him to defense. He had a solid and overlooked 10-year career in Minnesota. 

For the final spot on this ranking, I’m going with one of the most underrated Vikings free agent additions. Like Lance Johnstone was for the defensive ends, Tom Johnson was something of a designated pass rusher at defensive tackle. He was a starter in 2017 but he always seemed more productive when his snaps were limited. He was an excellent pass rusher from the interior. Johnson had an interesting, nomadic, 13-year professional football career. 

Indianapolis Colts practice squad (2006-07)

Cologne Centurions (2007) - NFL Europe

Grand Rapids Rampage (2008) - Arena Football League

Philadelphia Soul (2009) - Arena Football League

Calgary Stampeders (2009-10) - Canadian Football League

New Orleans Saints (2011-13)

Minnesota Vikings (2014-17)

Seattle Seahawks (2018)

Minnesota Vikings (2018)

That’s persistence. That persistence was highlighted by his productive and underrated four-plus years with the Vikings. 

Top Ten Minnesota Vikings Defensive Ends

It’s on to the defense. The ranking of the Top Ten Minnesota Vikings players at each position continues with the defensive ends. 

Ever since the Purple People Eaters of the late 1960s and 1970s, the Minnesota Vikings have had a very good to great defensive tradition. Starting with the defensive ends, here’s a look at some of the players that make up that tradition.

Top 10 Minnesota Vikings Defensive Ends

1.   Carl Eller 

2.   Chris Doleman 

3.   Jared Allen 

4.   Danielle Hunter

5.   Jim Marshall 

6.   Everson Griffen 

7.   Brian Robison 

8.   Doug Martin

9.   Mark Mullaney 

10. Lance Johnstone 

Carl Eller and Chris Doleman are in the Hall of Fame. Jared Allen will join them this summer. Danielle Hunter continues to build his Hall of Fame case. Then there’s Jim Marshall. He’s been on the Hall’s wait list for so long that it’s bordering on the ridiculous. 

Speaking of Hall of Fame waits, Carl Eller had about a 20-year wait. You look at his career and accolades and have to wonder, “how can that be?”. 

1970s First-team All-Decade

5x 1st-team All-Pro

6x Pro Bowl

He also made 2nd-team All-Pro in a year he didn’t make the Pro Bowl

3x Top-10 in MVP voting

2nd to teammate Alan Page in the 1971 Defensive Player of the Year voting

A player has a career of that quality today and he’s probably going into the Hall on his first vote. Eller’s 20-year wait is one of the great mysteries of that voting process. 

On a Christmas night in 1989, I had a pretty good idea that Chris Doleman would end up in Canton. That was the night that he ran past and through Cincinnati Bengals all-everything tackle Anthony Munoz. He finished with 21 sacks that season. Jared Allen topped Doleman’s 21 sacks with 22 in 2011. The trade for Allen in 2008 was one of the best in Vikings franchise history. He was the final piece to an emerging defense. The defensive line of Allen, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, and Ray Edwards rivaled that of the Purple People Eaters. It was a damn sad day to see Danielle Hunter sign with the Houston Texans last offseason. He had a brilliant eight-year career in Minnesota. He sat behind Brian Robison for a couple seasons. Despite playing limited snaps, he collected 12.5 sacks in his second season. There was no sitting after that. If he hadn’t missed all of the 2020 and most of the 2021 seasons, he would’ve collected over 100 sacks in those eight years. Five years after his career is done, there will be a Hall of Fame argument for Hunter. There’s been about a 40-year Hall of Fame argument for Jim Marshall. This is a very sensitive subject for Vikings fans. They see no argument. It’s sensitive because Marshall might be the most important player of the team’s first 20 years. He was the heart, soul, and leader of the great Vikings teams that went to four Super Bowls. He was also a great football player. 

Everson Griffen’s career was interesting. He sat behind Jared Allen for his first four years. And Allen rarely came off the field. Despite playing very limited snaps, anyone looking could see Griffen’s talent. The Vikings tried him at linebacker one training camp just to get him on the field. He was a gunner on punts. A 275-pound gunner! His first year as a starter was the first year of his second contract. He received a big second contract despite never having been a full-time player. He showed immediately that he deserved that contract. He was a mystery to the national media. He was even a mystery to his new coach, Mike Zimmer. Griffen was one of the league’s best pass rushers for the rest of his career. Brian Robison played all of his 11 seasons in Minnesota. Fitting, as he was always and always will be a fan favorite. He was the less heralded member of a 2007 Vikings draft class that included Adrian Peterson and Sidney Rice. Robison’s career would be a lot like his status in that draft class. Initially, he played behind Ray Edwards for four years. Then he played in the shadow of Jared Allen and Everson Griffen. He even played in the shadow of Danielle Hunter while starting ahead of him. Through it all, Robison was a very good and productive football player. Doug Martin and Mark Mullaney had the misfortune of being drafted to replace legends. Even though I thought and hoped that Carl Eller and Jim Marshall would play forever, their great Vikings careers were going to eventually end. It was hoped that Martin and Mullaney would simply continue the team’s great defensive end tradition. Those are brutal expectations. Martin got off to a decent start. His 11.5 sacks in the strike-shortened 1982 season led the league. He followed that up with 13 sacks in 1983. Sack-wise those were the best of his 10 years in Minnesota. He had a couple nine-sack years later in the decade. Mullaney’s career was a little less productive but he was a strong contributor on the defensive line for all of his 11-year career.

Lance Johnstone edged out Al Noga and Ray Edwards for #10. I decided that Johnstone had a greater impact despite playing fewer snaps. Johnstone is one of the Vikings most underrated free agent signings. He played in Minnesota from 2001-05. His only season as a full-time starter was 2002. He was the definition of a designated pass rusher. He collected 41 sacks over those five years. He had 10 sacks 2003 and 11 in 2004. He was an impact pass rusher for the Vikings. 

Top Ten Minnesota Vikings Centers

The receiver and defensive line traditions of the Minnesota Vikings are among the NFL’s best. They also have a strong center tradition. It helps that the tradition started with a Hall of Fame player that didn’t miss a game for 17 years. 

Top Ten Minnesota Vikings Centers

1.   Mick Tingelhoff

2.   Matt Birk

3.   Jeff Christy

4.   John Sullivan

5.   Dennis Swilley

6.   Kirk Lowdermilk

7.   Garrett Bradbury

8.   Joe Berger

9.   Pat Elflein

10. Bill Lapham

10. Adam Schreiber 

Mick Tingelhoff was a remarkable football player. From 1962-78, Tingelhoff started every game that the Vikings played. It was an unbelievable streak. His best years were the mid 1960s. He was All-Pro for six consecutive seasons. He should’ve made it to Canton long before he finally did. Tingelhoff kicked off the Vikings strong center tradition. From 1962-2014, the fulcrum of the offensive line was in steady hands. Mick Tingelhoff to Dennis Swilley to Kirk Lowdermilk to Jeff Christy to Matt Birk to John Sullivan. While Christy and Birk were the only centers after Tingelhoff to receive post-season honors, all of them were solid to better football players. Then we get to the offensive line issues of the past decade. Joe Berger was a nice fill-in in 2015 and 2016. Pat Elflein was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft to be the next great center. He showed promise as a rookie but then things started to fade. Garrett Bradbury was selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He was definitely drafted to be the next great center. While he showed unique quickness traits and had some strong moments he never could quite overcome his relatively small stature. Bigger, stronger defensive linemen often overwhelmed him. Unfortunately for Bradbury and the Vikings, the NFL has been filled with bigger, stronger, and talented defensive tackles. The Vikings had two centers that held the job for a single season. Bill Lapham was the first Vikings center in 1961. Adam Schreiber was the starter in 1993 as the Vikings transitioned from Lowdermilk to Christy. 

The Vikings signed Ryan Kelly this offseason to replace Garrett Bradbury. Kelly is closer to the end of his excellent career than the start. If he can give the Vikings two years on the level of his past seasons, he could challenge for the spots currently held by Sullivan and Swilley.