Top 10 Minnesota Vikings Running Backs

The ranking at the Top 10 Minnesota Vikings players at each position continues with the running backs. The top four are pretty straightforward. 

Top 10 Minnesota Vikings Running Backs

1. Adrian Peterson

Nothing is certain with the current collection of Pro Football Hall of Fame voters but Adrian Peterson should be honored in the Canton sun next summer. Simply put, he’s one of the best running backs ever to play football and an easy pick as the best back in Vikings franchise history. 

2. Chuck Foreman

Adrian Peterson should be joining Chuck Foreman next summer as Vikings running backs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Peterson will get into Canton in his first of eligibility. Foreman should’ve been inducted long ago and somehow he hasn’t. From his 1973 rookie year through 1977, he was one of the best running backs in the league. More significantly, he was the league’s most versatile running back. He caught passes in the 1970s like scattered backs are doing today. In that sense, Foreman was way ahead of his time. It’s way past time to finally see Chuck Foreman inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

3. Dalvin Cook

4. Robert Smith 

I feel that the top two running backs in Vikings franchise history are easy. #3 and #4 are easy as well. The order is difficult. One day, Robert Smith is #3 and Dalvin Cook is #4. The next day, Dalvin Cook is #3 and Robert Smith is #4. Today, it’s the second one. Both had stuttering starts to their careers due to injuries. After a terrific start, Cook’s rookie season ended in Week 4 with a knee injury. Smith had a run of puzzling maladies that kept him from really breaking out until his fifth season. Once both got rolling, they were explosive, game-breaking runners. Both ended up having four terrific seasons with the Vikings. If injuries hadn’t gotten in the way, both easily could’ve had twice that. 

5. Bill Brown

Bill Brown’s great Vikings career was winding down as I was a youngster discovering football and this team. He’s one of the Vikings greats that I most wish that I’d seen in his prime. He was among the league’s best fullbacks at a time when fullbacks were often a team’s top runner.

6. Tommy Mason

The Vikings first ever draft pick was the team’s top playmaker over the franchise’s first five seasons. He was All-Pro once and made the Pro Bowl three times in those five seasons. 

7. Darrin Nelson

Because he wasn’t Marcus Allen, I don’t think Darrin Nelson ever got proper respect from Vikings fans. Nelson was the seventh pick of the 1982 NFL Draft. Allen was still available but the Vikings opted for the little, versatile back out of Stanford. Nelson fit the Vikings offense of that era. While he wasn’t Marcus Allen-great, for ten years, Nelson was a very good football player for the Vikings. 

8. Dave Osborn

Dave Osborn was a solid backfield partner to Bill Brown. While the Vikings of the late-1960s very much relied on a running back-by-committe, Osborn and Brown were the headliners. Osborn’s 972 yards in 1967 was the team’s single-season record until Chuck Foreman topped 1,000 in 1975. 

9. Terry Allen

It’s a real shame that Terry Allen left the Vikings in the early days of free agency after only four years and three seasons. After a breakout 1,200 yard season in his second year, Allen had his third season erased with a knee injury. He returned with a 1,000 season and then bolted to Washington in free agency. 

10. Chester Taylor

Chester Taylor joined the Vikings in 2006 as a free agent. He left Baltimore for Minnesota for the opportunity to finally be RB1. With 1,200 yards, he was an immediate hit. The Vikings run game was in good shape with the versatile Taylor. Then Adrian Peterson was selected in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Taylor was suddenly RB2 for the team that signed him to be RB1. For the next three seasons, he was a tremendous team player and of the best RB2s in the league. 

Top 10 Minnesota Vikings Quarterbacks

If there’s a down time in the NFL, it’s the weeks between the end of offseason workouts and training camp. To pass some of that time, I’m ranking the ten best players at each position in the franchise history of the Minnesota Vikings. Up first is the quarterbacks. Everything in football starts with the quarterbacks.

Top 10 Minnesota Vikings Quarterbacks

1. Fran Tarkenton

Even though Norm Van Brocklin was reluctant to start him, Fran Tarkenton was the first quarterback in Minnesota Vikings franchise history. He’s also, easily, the best quarterback in franchise history. The Vikings have been trying to find their next franchise quarterback since his 1978 retirement. Tarkenton has a bust in Canton. At the time of his retirement, he held every career passing record. He held those records longer than any quarterback ever has. 

2. Tommy Kramer

3. Daunte Culpepper

4. Kirk Cousins

While the #1 quarterback in Vikings franchise history is easy. #2 isn’t easy. In my opinion, there are three contenders. Tommy Kramer was selected in the first round of the 1977 NFL Draft to be the next franchise quarterback. He had the talent to be the next one. There were many moments during his 13 years in Minnesota in which he looked the part. Unfortunately, his career was peppered with a variety of injuries. He played every game in a season only twice in those 13 years. One of those was the strike-shortened 1982 season. He made one Pro Bowl. Daunte Culpepper and Kirk Cousins each played for the Vikings half as long as Kramer but had more productive seasons. Culpepper edges Cousins in this ranking mostly for his MVP-level 2004 season. Both Culpepper and Cousins ended their Vikings career with season-ending injuries. Culpepper’s injury essentially ended his career. 

5. Joe Kapp

Joe Kapp only played three seasons for the Vikings but he was the quarterback and fiery leader as the team moved from hapless expansion team to one of the best teams in the league. He guided the Vikings to their first Super Bowl. To get to Super Bowl IV, the Vikings won the 1969 NFL Championship. That’s something.

6. Warren Moon

Warren Moon only played 2.5 seasons for the Vikings. They were his age 38 - 40 seasons. He may have been at the end of his brilliant Hall of Fame career but he was excellent in those 2.5 seasons. He and Cris Carter were a blast to watch together. Few quarterbacks have ever thrown a prettier pass.

7. Brett Favre

Brett Favre holds the seventh spot of this ranking for his terrific 2009 season. It was arguably the best year of his long Hall of Fame career. That season should’ve ended with a Super Bowl win. 

8. Randall Cunningham 

As with Brett Favre, Randall Cunningham makes this ranking for his outstanding 1998 season. Also like Favre, that season also should’ve ended with a Super Bowl win.

9. Brad Johnson

Brad Johnson was supposed to be the Vikings starter in 1998. An injury opened the door for Randall Cunningham. Johnson’s Vikings story is one of what might’ve been. It’s difficult to imagine the season going better with Johnson rather than Cunningham but the former had the starting quarterback job entering the season for a reason. With Cris Carter, Randy Moss, and Jake Reed catching passes and Robert Smith and Leroy Hoard running, nearly any quarterback would shine. 

10. Teddy Bridgewater

What if Tommy Kramer’s career hadn’t been taken apart by injuries? What if the Vikings had been able to draft Bernie Kosar? What if the Vikings hadn’t bailed on Rich Gannon so early? What if Daunte Culpepper’s career hadn’t been ruined by that knee injury? There are a lot of “what if’s” regarding the quarterback position in Vikings franchise history. Teddy Bridgewater is another. The Vikings and Bridgewater were on the rise when his knee exploded just before the start of the 2016 season. Ultimately, the injury didn’t end his career but it was the beginning of the end of his Vikings career. We’ll never know if Bridgewater would’ve hit the high hopes that I had for him. 

Up Next: The Running Backs. 

Top Vikings Training Camp Topics

My top Minnesota Vikings training camp topics will probably change often over the next six-plus weeks. The following are my current top topics.

Top Minnesota Vikings Training Camp Topics

1. The Quarterback Competition

Of course, it starts with the quarterback competition between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray. Personally, I don’t really care who wins the starting job. When the Vikings have even average quarterback play they can win with the playmakers that surround that average quarterback. Few teams in the league can match this playmaking group.

Receivers:

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jauan Jennings

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Runners:

Aaron Jones

Jordan Mason

Demond Claiborne

Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings are the best receiving trio in the league. T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver are a nice tight end duo. With an improved run scheme, a solid offensive line, and a diverse running back committee, the Vikings pass game and run game might finally complement each other well.  

It really doesn’t matter whether the Vikings quarterback is J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray. Either will flourish in this offense. I have two hopes for this Vikings quarterback training camp competition. The first hope is that the coverage of the competition doesn’t focus on the drama bullshit between the two quarterbacks. The second hope is that the quarterback that is named QB2 isn’t a baby about it. If two of the last three seasons has shown anything, there’s a chance that all three quarterbacks on the active roster will be needed. 

2. The Offensive Line

The starting offensive line projects as a strong group. The question of that group is center Blake Brandel. Through five years with the Vikings, he’s pretty much covered every offensive line position but center. He’s had 31 starts. 17 of those starts were at left guard in 2024. Injuries forced Brandel to play center for the first time in his football life last season. He did alright. He did alright enough that it’s believed by all those that matter that he can hand handle the full-time center job this season. Despite playing his college days at Oregon State, Brandel is a bright guy. I believe that he’ll be at least as good as Garrett Bradbury-good. My hope is that he’s much better. He is the biggest question on what could be a very good offensive line. 

3. The Defensive Line

Before the 2026 NFL Draft, I felt the Vikings had a very curious defensive line group with intriguing potential. It was a curious group because all of the returning players were late-round or no-round picks. 

Jalen Redmond

Levi Drake Rodriguez 

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Elijah Williams

Taki Taimani

Jalen Redmond broke out last season as an emerging star. As a 2025 fifth-round pick, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is the highest drafted of the group. He’s spent some offseason time with the outside linebackers. He might spend his hopefully long Vikings career spending time both on the line and on the edge. I believe that Elijah Williams has the talent to break out this season like Redmond did last season. That’s the pre-draft group. The Vikings had a clear defensive line focus in the draft. Caleb Banks was selected in the first round. Domonique Orange was selected in the third round. The Vikings have the makings of a deep and dominant defensive front. For three seasons, defensive coordinator Brian Flores has manufactured pressure through scheme. He might finally have a Vikings defensive line group that can pressure with dominating talent. I can not wait to see this group on the field. 

4. Outside Linebackers

I wasn’t a fan of trading Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles during the draft. I didn’t like it but I get it. Dallas Turner is ready for a full-time role. He and Andrew Van Ginkel will be a terrific edge duo. Behind the two, there’s no proven depth. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is working with the outside linebackers. He’s an intriguing edge option. Jake Golday may have been selected in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft as an eventual heir to Van Ginkel’s versatile role. Golday is learning both on- and off-ball linebacker roles. In a Brian Flores defense, that’s a lot to learn. Other than the potential supplemental involvement of Ingram-Dawkins and Golday, Van Ginkel and Turner are backed up by undrafted Tyler Batty, Bo Richter, Chaz Chambliss, Cam’Ron Stewart, and Arden Walker. Outside linebacker is probably the position most in need of a veteran addition between now and training camp. 

5. Cornerback

Other than Kyler Murray, it’s always about the quarterback, the biggest Vikings free agent addition is James Pierre. He might be one of the best under-the-radar additions across the league. I can’t wait to see the cornerback trio of Pierre with Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers. I’ve often wondered if Brian Flores played three safeties as a nickel preference or if he did so because he didn’t have three corners he trusted. With Pierre, we might finally see the Vikings defense that Flores has in his head. Not only is the group topped by a nice trio, Chuck Demmings was added in the draft. I have a feeling that Demmings is taking the first steps toward a brilliant Vikings career. 

6. Safeties

When does Harrison Smith announce his return for a 15th season. 

I like this potential safety group.

Joshua Metellus

Theo Jackson

Jay Ward

Jakobe Thomas

Tavierre Thomas

I like this one even more.

Harrison Smith

Joshua Metellus

Theo Jackson

Jay Ward

Jakobe Thomas

Like Chuck Demmings, I believe that Jakobe Thomas is going to be an impact player. The pair could soon be franchise cornerstones in the Vikings secondary. 

For now, those are my top Minnesota Vikings training camp topics. 

Some Of The Best Remaining Free Agents

The time between offseason workouts and training camp can be time for teams to make roster tweaks. Perhaps those offseason workouts revealed some positions that could use a veteran upgrade. Here are some of the best free agents that are still available about a month before teams start reporting for the start of training camp.

1.   Taylor Decker, OT

2.   Deebo Samuel, WR

3.   Joey Bosa, Edge

4.   Jadeveon Clowney, Edge

5.   Jonah Williams, OT

6.   Haason Reddick, Edge

7.   Kenny Moore, CB

8.   Stefon Diggs, WR

9.   Jack Conklin, OT

10. Jonnu Smith, TE

11. Mekhi Becton, OL

12. Leonard Floyd, Edge

13. Darren Waller, TE

14. Trevon Diggs, CB

15. Tyreek Hill, WR

16. James Daniels, G

17. Kevin Zeitler, G

18. David Onyemata, DL

19. Marshon Lattimore

20. Yetur Gross-Matos, DL

21. Larry Ogunjobi, DL

22. Graham Glasgow, C

23. Matt Milano, LB

24. Ethan Pocic, C

25. Daniel Carlson, K

This list of some of the best remaining free agents is made up mostly of players nearing the end of their careers. Five or so years ago, most would be targets during the tampering window. They certainly wouldn’t be unsigned in June. Now they are and they could be a nice addition for some team. 

The player on this list I’ve been eyeing for the Minnesota Vikings is Jadeveon Clowney. When Jonathan Greenard was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles during the draft, it opened up a need for a veteran edge player. Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner are a strong starting duo but the depth is suspect. Second-round pick Jake Golday has a lot on his plate as he’s learning off-ball linebacker as well as edge. Expecting heavy edge minutes as a rookie might be a bit much. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins played on the interior as a rookie last season. He’s been working with the edge this spring. He’s an intriguing option. After that, the depth is mostly a collection of undrafted players in Tyler Batty, Bo Richter, and Chaz Chambliss. Clowney could be a nice addition to the Vikings edge room. 

Unsigned Draft Picks: By Round

The signing of the players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft is zipping along. The two quarterbacks continue to be the only unsigned players from the first round. The puzzle of this year’s draft pick signing process is the top of the third round. Here’s a look at the unsigned draft pick status for each of the seven rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. The first round, of course, is shown in detail.

Unsigned Draft Picks: By Round

First Round

1.   Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana 

2.   New York Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech - Signed

3.   Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame - Signed

4.   Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State - Signed

5.   New York Giants: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State - Signed

6.   Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU - Signed

7.   Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State - Signed

8.   New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State - Signed

9.   Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah - Signed

10. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami - Signed

11. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State - Signed

12. Miami Dolphins: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama - Signed

13. Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State - Signed

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami - Signed

16. New York Jets: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon - Signed

17. Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson - Signed 

18. Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida - Signed

19. Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia - Signed

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Makai Lemon, WR, USC - Signed

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State - Signed

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami - Signed

23. Dallas Cowboys: Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF - Signed

24. Cleveland Browns: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M - Signed

25. Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon - Signed

26. Houston Texans: Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech - Signed

27. Miami Dolphins: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State - Signed

28. New England Patriots: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah - Signed

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson - Signed

30. New York Jets: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana - Signed

31. Tennessee Titans: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn - Signed

32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame - Signed

2/32 players are unsigned.

Second Round

23. New England Patriots: Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois

1/32 players are unsigned.

Only three unsigned players from the first two rounds. That’s pretty good. It’s the next two rounds that surprise. 

Third Round

1.   Arizona Cardinals: Carson Beck, QB, Miami

2.   Denver Broncos: Tyler Onyedim, DT, Texas A&M

3.   Las Vegas Raiders: Keyron Crawford, Edge, Auburn

4.   Philadelphia Eagles: Markel Bell, OT, Miami

5.   Chicago Bears: Sam Roush, TE, Stanford

6.   San Francisco 49ers: Romello Height, Edge, Texas Tech

12. Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

7/36 players are unsigned. 

Fourth Round

1.   Las Vegas Raiders: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

4.   Arizona Cardinals: Kaleb Proctor, DL, Southeastern Louisiana

6.   Houston Texans: Febechi Nwaiwu, G, Oklahoma

7.   San Francisco 49ers: Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma

4/40 players are unsigned.

Fifth Round

0/41 players are unsigned.

Sixth Round

0/35 players are unsigned. 

Seventh Round

0/41 players are unsigned. 

14/257 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft are unsigned. 

Half of the unsigned players were selected at the top of the third round. 

Minnesota Vikings 91-Man Roster

The Minnesota Vikings made a couple more tweaks to the roster. 

Signed:

Marshall Lang, TE

Jahvaree Ritzie, DL

Waived:

Caleb Etienne, OT

Monkell Goodwine, DL

Once again, new Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley has added a player familiar to him. He was the assistant general manager in Seattle when the Seahawks signed Marshall Lang after he went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. He had practice squad stints with the Seahawks and New England Patriots last season. After the season, Lang signed a futures contract with the Patriots in February and was released in April. 

Jahvaree Ritzie also went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. He signed with New England Patriots after the draft. He was released from the practice squad in September. He signed a futures contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in January and was released in May. 

The Vikings currently have 91 players on the roster. Undrafted rookie punter Brett Thorson is one of those players. He’s from Australia and is part of International Pathways Program. As such, he doesn’t count towards the 90 - man roster limit. So, when Harrison Smith returns for his 15th season, the Vikings will have to make another tweak to the roster. 

Minnesota Vikings Post-Draft Roster (91)

Offense (45)

Quarterbacks (4)

Kyler Murray

J.J. McCarthy

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

Running Backs (6)

Aaron Jones

Jordan Mason

Zavier Scott

Demond Claiborne

Max Bredeson - fullback

Kejon Owens

Receivers (13)

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jauan Jennings

Tai Felton

Myles Price

Jeshaun Jones

Dontae Fleming

Dillon Bell

Marcus Sanders Jr.

Luke Wysong 

Terrill Davis

Michael Briscoe

Trayvon Rudolph

Tight Ends (6)

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Gavin Bartholomew

Ben Yurosek

Bryson Nesbit

Marshall Lang

Tackles (6)

Christian Darrisaw

Brian O’Neill

Ryan Van Demark

Walter Rouse

Caleb Tiernan

Triston Leigh

Guards (5)

Donovan Jackson

Will Fries

Joe Huber

Henry Byrd

Tomas Rimac

Centers (5)

Blake Brandel

Michael Jurgens

Vershon Lee

Gavin Gerhardt

Delby Lemieux

Defense (42)

Defensive Line (11)

Jalen Redmond

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Elijah Williams

Taki Taimani

Caleb Banks

Domonique Orange

Eric Johnson II

Isaiahh Loudermilk

Smith Vilbert

Jahrvee Ritzie

Outside Linebackers (7)

Andrew Van Ginkel

Dallas Turner

Bo Richter

Tyler Batty

Chaz Chambliss

Cam’Ron Stewart

Arden Walker 

Inside Linebackers (8)

Blake Cashman

Eric Wilson

Ivan Pace Jr.

Josh Ross

Jacob Roberts

Jake Golday

Keli Lawson

Bangally Kamara

Cornerbacks (9)

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

James Pierre

Zemaiah Vaughn

Dwight McGlothern

Chuck Demmings

Marcus Allen

Da’Veawn Armstead

Tyreek Chappell

Safeties (7)

Joshua Metellus

Theo Jackson

Jay Ward

Tavierre Thomas

Kahlef Hailassie 

Jakobe Thomas

Jacob Thomas

Special Teams (4)

Kicker

Will Reichard

Punter

Johnny Hekker

Brett Thorson

Long Snapper

Andrew DePaola

More Front Office Additions

New Minnesota Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley made a couple more additions to his front office. One addition is quite familiar as Ryan Pace is returning to the NFC North. He was the general manager of the Chicago Bears from 2015 to 2021. The reports have Pace joining the Vikings with the nebulous title of football adviser. We’ll have to see what that entails. The second addition is more intriguing as Teasley again reached into the Seattle Seahawks front office that he just left. Azzaam Kapadia was last listed with the Seahawks as a pro scout. He’d been with the team for three seasons so Teasley worked with him for three seasons. Kapadia’s football path stands out as remarkably brief, so far, and fascinating. Every person with a career in football has a story. For some, it just happens because the game was always there for them. For others, they have to bust their ass to force their way into an opportunity for a shot. If they get that shot, then they have to take advantage of it. Azzaam Kapadia is the latter. 

Purple Daily’s Thor Nystrom posted an intriguing timeline of Azzaam Kapadia’s path to the Vikings.

As a student at the University of Virginia, Azzaam Kapadia hounded the football office for a year to get a volunteer scout role. He persistence paid off as he earned a scouting role under head coach Bronco Mendenhall. He got the job by breaking down the high school film of receiver Dontayvion Wicks. When Mendenhall departed, Kapadia was the lone holdover. He earned a promotion when new head coach Tony Elliott discovered him watching film in an otherwise empty building. This was 2021, going into 2022. Kapadia was hired as a Seahawks scouting assistant after his graduation from Virginia in 2023. In just three years, he’s had a growing role in the Seattle draft and pro evaluation process. Kapadia is a film junky. He’s described as curious, and no-stone-left-unturned thorough. Just three years ago, he was making his way as a football slappy at the University of Virginia. Now, he’s assistant director of pro scouting for the Minnesota Vikings.

So, the Vikings are collecting former NFL GMs named Ryan. Former Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson had been an assistant general manager for the Vikings since 2022. Reports have him staying with a different title and perhaps different responsibilities. If you ask Colts fans, they won’t have a lot of great things to say about Grigson, If asked, almost universally they’d rather see him employed by the Vikings than the Colts. Ryan Pace has a similar reputation with fans of the Chicago Bears. It can be a good thing to have former GMs on staff with a suspect history of decisions. Grigson and Pace are in Minnesota to assist Nolan Teasley. They aren’t in Minnesota to run things. We won’t know for a few years but Teasley is putting together an intriguing combination of evaluation and experience in his front office.