The top 10 pass rushing duos in Minnesota Vikings history
By Tim Arcand
8: John Randle and Chris Doleman (1990 – 1993, 1999)
- 5 seasons
- 150 games
- 97.5 sacks
John Randle makes his second appearance in the ranking, this time pairing the Vikings’ top two in career sacks. Chris Doleman comes in second in team history with 96.5 sacks.
The top-two pass rushers in franchise history played together for four seasons when Randle made the team as an undrafted rookie in 1990 and joined Doleman who was in his sixth season as a first-round draft pick in 1985. In took Randle only two seasons before he became a full-time starter alongside Doleman on the right side of the Vikings defensive line. In his 11 seasons with the Vikings, Randle started 150 of 176 games.
This duo averaged 19.9 sacks per season over the five years they played together. These two took turns leading the team in sacks while playing together and tied for the team lead with 12.5 each in 1993. Doleman led the team in 1992, making the Pro Bowl and being selected First-Team All-Pro. Randle duplicated those honors in 1993—the first of six consecutive seasons to be honored. Doleman left the Vikings the following season playing two seasons in Atlanta and three with the 49ers before returning to finish his career with the Vikings in 1999 when he reunited with Randle.
Unfortunately, this is Randle’s last appearance in the ranking. In the 11 seasons he played with the Vikings, Randle led the team in sacks nine times. His career started playing along Chris Doleman and Henry Thomas. After that, there was a different cast of characters playing on the defensive line each season to finish out his Hall of Fame career in Minnesota.
7: Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter (2015 – 2019)
- 5 seasons
- 150 games
- 99.5 sacks
Everson Griffen’s second appearance in the ranking comes with the current rising star on the Vikings’ defense, Danielle Hunter. Hunter’s first five seasons with the Vikings unfortunately are also Griffen’s last five seasons with the Vikings. Every year these two played together, they led the team as the top two sack leaders.
The Vikings selected Hunter in the third round of the 2015 draft. Despite not becoming a full-time starter until 2017, Hunter made an immediate impact as a rookie with six sacks in only one start that season.
This duo, like John Randle and Chris Doleman, averaged 19.9 sacks per season. The extra season and additional games helped raise their ranking to seventh place.