The greatest Minnesota Vikings players of all time span the Purple People Eaters dynasty of the 1960s and 70s, the high-flying Randy Moss era, and the modern record-breakers. From four Super Bowl runs to a deep bench of Pro Football Hall of Famers, this is a franchise defined by dominant defense and explosive offense. Here are the 10 greatest Vikings ever, ranked.
1. Fran Tarkenton (QB · 1961-1966, 1972-1978)
A 1986 Hall of Famer and the 1975 NFL MVP, Tarkenton led the Vikings to three Super Bowls. The original scrambling quarterback, he retired holding nearly every major NFL career passing record.
2. Alan Page (DT · 1967-1978)
The anchor of the Purple People Eaters and the first defensive player ever to win NFL MVP, in 1971. A 1988 Hall of Famer and nine-time Pro Bowler, he was also the 1971 Defensive Player of the Year.
3. Randy Moss (WR · 1998-2004, 2010)
One of the most explosive deep threats in NFL history, Moss caught 17 touchdowns as a rookie in 1998. A 2018 Hall of Famer, he made four Pro Bowls in Minnesota and redefined the vertical passing game.
4. Cris Carter (WR · 1990-2001)
A 2013 Hall of Famer who built a long-time franchise record of 1,004 receptions and 12,383 receiving yards in purple. An eight-time Pro Bowler, the saying went that all he did was catch touchdowns.
5. Randall McDaniel (G · 1988-1999)
A 2009 Hall of Famer regarded among the greatest guards ever, McDaniel made 12 consecutive Pro Bowls. He was a seven-time First-Team All-Pro and an iron-man fixture on the Vikings line.
6. Carl Eller (DE · 1964-1978)
A cornerstone of the Purple People Eaters and a 2004 Hall of Famer, Eller made six Pro Bowls and five First-Team All-Pros. He recorded well over 130 unofficial career sacks as a relentless edge force.
7. Adrian Peterson (RB · 2007-2016)
The 2012 NFL MVP who rushed for 2,097 yards, the second-most in a single season ever. The franchise career rushing leader at 11,747 yards, Peterson made seven Pro Bowls and is a future Hall of Famer.
8. Paul Krause (FS · 1968-1979)
The all-time NFL leader with 81 career interceptions, a record that still stands. A 1998 Hall of Famer, Krause made six Pro Bowls as a Viking and patrolled the deep secondary for over a decade.
9. Mick Tingelhoff (C · 1962-1978)
A 2015 Hall of Famer who never missed a game in 17 seasons, making 240 straight starts. He started all four of the Vikings Super Bowls, earned six Pro Bowls, and had his jersey retired.
10. John Randle (DT · 1990-2000)
A rare undrafted Hall of Famer, enshrined in 2010 after a relentless interior pass-rushing career. He totaled 137.5 career sacks and led the NFL with 15.5 sacks in 1997.
Honorable Mentions
Chris Doleman (Hall of Fame edge, 21 sacks in 1989), Ron Yary (Hall of Fame tackle, anchored Super Bowl lines), Jim Marshall (Iron-man defensive end, 282 straight starts), Justin Jefferson (Modern superstar, broke franchise receiving records), Chuck Foreman (Dual-threat back of the 1970s offenses), Jared Allen (Single-season franchise sack record, 22 in 2011), Gary Zimmerman (Hall of Fame tackle, 1980s All-Decade Team)
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