6. Ed Sharockman and Earsell Mackbee (1966-1968)
- 3 seasons
- 17 interceptions
- 7 fumbles recovered
- 1 touchdown
- 79 starts
As mentioned, this is Ed Sharockman’s second appearance in the ranking. Following the two seasons he played with George Rose, Sharockman teamed up with Earsell Mackbee to man the Vikings’ defensive backfield from 1966 to 1968.
Mackbee joined the Vikings in 1965 at the age of 24 and played five seasons for the Minnesota Vikings. He started every game between 1966 and 1969, his final year in the NFL at the age of 28-years-old. He is not listed among any of the Vikings draft picks which suggests he made the team as an undrafted free agent.
Over the three seasons Sharockman and Mackbee played together they intercepted 6.7 passes and recovered 1.7 fumbles per season.
5. Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin (2007-2009)
- 3 seasons
- 9 interceptions
- 5 fumbles recovered
- 3 touchdowns
- 82 starts
This is Antoine Winfield’s second appearance in the ranking. After the two seasons playing alongside Brian Williams, Winfield paired with former Washington Redskin, Fred Smoot in 2006 before heading back to the Redskins for the 2007 season.
The Vikings drafted Cedric Griffin in the second round of the 2006 draft. As a rookie, Griffin started seven games and became the full-time starter in 2007
If not for injuries this duo would have played more than three seasons together. A knee injury limited Griffin to only two games in 2010. When he returned to start 14 games in 2011, Winfield was sidelined with injuries and limited to only five games.
For both players, 2012 was their last season in the NFL. Griffin left the Vikings signing as a free agent with Washington while at age 35 Winfield would start 15 games. The following season the Vikings released Winfield to clear salary cap space. He signed with the Seahawks in 2012 but did not make their final roster and retired.