Vikes Views: Favorite Vikings Running Back

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.

Running backs will likely have a run-away winner, but you never know where the heart lands.

Adrian Peterson (2007-2016)

14,918 career rushing yards with 120 TDs

2,474 career receiving yards with 6 TDs

Peterson was named 4x First Team All-Pro, 3x Second Team All-Pro, 7x Pro Bowl, 3x NFL Rushing Leader, NFL 2010s All Decade Team, 50 Greatest Vikings, MVP and is a future Hall of Famer. Peterson was the Vikings offense for several of his prime years.

Chuck Foreman (1973-1979)

5,950 career rushing yards with 53 TDs

3,156 career receiving yards with 23 TDs

Foreman was 2x First Team All-Pro, 2x Second Team All-Pro, 5x Pro Bowl, 50 Greatest Vikings and is in the Vikings Ring of Honor.

Dalvin Cook (2017-2022)

6,227 career rushing yards with 47 TDs

1,882 career receiving yards with 5 TDs

Cook was named to 4 Pro Bowls in this time in Minnesota. He was a dynamic play maker when he was healthy. I’ll always remember his contributions in the huge comebacks against the Bills and the Colts in 2022.

Chester Taylor (2006-2009)

4,740 career rushing yards with 26 TDs

2,324 career receiving yards with 6 TDs

I will always remember Taylor fondly for being so graceful while being replaced by rookie Adrian Peterson.

Robert Smith (1993-2000)

6,818 career rushing yards with 32 TDs

1,292 career receiving yards with 6 TDs

Smith retired abruptly in 2000 after being named to his 2nd Pro Bowl and to the Second Team All-Pro.

Michael Bennett (2001-2005)

3,703 career rushing yards with 13 TDs

1,294 career receiving yards with 6 TDs

Bennett had one good year with the Vikings in 2002, his lone Pro Bowl year.

Tommy Mason (1961-1966)

4,203 career rushing yards with 32 TDs

2,324 career receiving yards with 13 TDs

Mason was named to three straight Pro Bowls from 1962-1964 and was First Team All-Pro in 1963.

Dave Osborn (1965-1975)

4,336 career rushing yards with 29 TDs

1,412 career receiving yards with 7 TDs

Osborn was named to the Pro Bowl in 1970.

Bill Brown (1962-1974)

5,838 yards with 52 TDs

3,183 receiving yards with 23 TDs

Brown was named 3x Second Team All-Pro, 4x Pro Bowl, 50 Greatest Vikings and is in the Vikings Ring of Honor.

Ted Brown (1979-1986)

4,546 career rushing yards with 40 TDs

2,850 career receiving yards with 13 TDs

Brown accidentally shot himself in the leg in December 1981. He was able to come back and play 5 more seasons until retiring in 1986.

Quarterback – Fran Tarkenton (1961-1966, 1972-1978)

Wide Receivers – Randy Moss (1998-2004, 2010) & Cris Carter (1990-2001)

Tight Ends – Steve Jordan (1982-1994) & Jim Kleinsasser (1999-2011)

Offensive Tackles – Ron Yary (1968-1981) & Gary Zimmerman (1986-1992)

Offensive Guards – Randall McDaniel (1988-1999) & Steve Hutchinson (2006-2011)

Center – Mick Tingelhoff (1962-1978)