The Minnesota Vikings have had a lot of success throughout their history even though they have never won a Super Bowl. Some of the best players in NFL history have played in the purple and gold. Let's breakdown the seven best players in Vikings franchise history.
7. Mick Tinglehoff
A good offensive line is one of the most important things in football. Mick Tinglehoff was a mainstay at center in the 1960s and '70s. Tinglehoff played in 240 career games for the Vikings, starting every single one of them. The Vikings retired his number and there could be an argument made he should be higher on the list.
6. John Randle
John Randle is one of very few players in NFL history to go from being an undrafted free agent to elected into the Hall of Fame. Randle not only is he one of the best defensive tackles in team history, he is one of the best in NFL history. Eight years in a row, Randle had double-digit sacks numbers — an unheard-of feat for a defensive tackle.
5. Alan Page
Can you imagine if Alan Page and John Randle played on the same team together? Page was one of the fastest defensive tackles in NFL history. Offensive lines had issues keeping him under control. He was also the first defensive player ever to win the NFL MVP award.
Page also has had quite the life since retiring from the NFL. He served on the Minnesota Supreme Court and has done a lot of charity work in the Minneapolis area.
4. Randall McDaniel
McDaniel was selected in the first round in the 1988 draft. McDaniel didn't always have the best form for an offensive lineman but he protected his quarterbacks and that's what's most important. McDaniel was elected to 12 straight Pro Bowls from 1989-2000.
3. Adrian Peterson
There could be an argument made that Adrian Peterson should be put higher on the list, but it's hard to put him in front of the final two.
The Vikings selected Peterson in the first round of the 2017 draft and he quickly changed the direction of the franchise. In his ten years with the Vikings Peterson rushed for 11,747 yards and 97 touchdowns. He wasn't much of a threat catching the ball, but he didn't need to be with the way he ran the ball.
In the 2012 season, Peterson rushed 348 times for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns.
2. Randy Moss
Randy Moss didn't always represent the Vikings in the best light off the field, but there was no questioning his talent on the field. As a rookie in 1998, Moss caught 17 touchdowns passes and was part of the best offense in Vikings history.
Moss ended his Vikings career catching 92 touchdown passes.
1. Fran Tarkenton
Fran Tarkenton led the Minnesota Vikings to their first win, and he was the first true star. His records have been broken but at a time he was statistically the best quarterback in NFL history. He was the first Vikings player to ever be elected into the Hall of Fame and it's going to take a legendary career for someone to knock him out of the top spot.
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