Daily Norseman
Welcome to the All-Time Favorite Viking Team series. We’re going through and voting by position for your favorite Viking players. There are no set criteria other than they played for the Minnesota Vikings. It’s your favorite player at that position.
There will be two OLBs. Thinking more 4-3 OLB, but will include our 3-4 OLBs. Danielle Hunter will roll into the DEs.
Jonathan Greenard (2024-present)
35 Sacks, 1 INT, 7 FF, 179 Tackles
Greenard made his first Pro Bowl in 2024. Back to back seasons with 12 or more sacks have Greenard trending up. He was a key piece last year for Flores.
Andrew Van Ginkel (2024-present)
28 1⁄2 Sacks, 4 INTs, 5 FF, 329 Tackles
Van Ginkel exploded on the scene his first year in Minnesota. He was named to his first Pro Bowl and 2nd Team All-Pro. He was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate for a chunk of the season before that momentum tailed. Included him in MLB and he really does play more OLB.
Anthony Barr (2014-2021, 2023)
18 1⁄2 Sacks, 5 INTs, 8 FF, 554 Tackles
Sometimes writing articles like this is a little surprising. I thought Barr had better stats. He was a leader on Mike Zimmer’s defenses. The Vikings famously took him a few pics before Aaron Donald and waiting to trade back up to pick 32 to pick Teddy Bridgewater. Barr was a 4x Pro Bowler.
Chad Greenway (2006-2016)
18 Sacks, 11 INTs, 8 FF, 1,103 Tackles
Greenway was a South Dakota kid that went to Iowa, so he was always going to be loved in Minneosta. He was also really good on the field. Greenway was named to 2 Pro Bowls and was 2nd Team All-Pro in 2012. He tore his ACL in his first ever preseason game and missed the 2006 season. He took the starting role in 2007 and held it for a decade.
Ben Leber (2006-2010)
24 Sacks, 5 INTs, 13 FF, 500 Tackles
Leber was a decen pass rusher in his day. He joined the Vikings after 4 years in San Diego. He sat through some lean years until one good run with the 2009 team. He might be better known as Nacho Leber, to some, than he is as a player.
Ed McDaniel (1992-2001)
19 1⁄2 Sacks, 4 INTs, 15 FF, 796 Tackles
McDaniel played a mix of OLB & MLB. His lone Pro Bowl in 1998 was at MLB. HE was a big part of the runs in the late 90s.
Dwayne Rudd (1997-2000)
11 1⁄2 Sacks, 1 INT, 4 FF, 512 Tackles
Rudd’s career wasn’t long. His best year was 1998 when he was named 2nd Team All-Pro and 6th in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Rudd has the NFL record for most fumble rturn yards in a season with 157 in 1998. He also shares the record for 2 fumble recoveries in a single season.
Mike Merriweather (1989-1992)
41 Sacks, 18 INTs
Merriweather’s best years were in Pittsburgh where he was...
