15 greatest Minnesota Vikings running backs of all-time

15 Greatest Minnesota Vikings Running Backs of All-Time

9. Chester Taylor (2006 - 2009)

After four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Chester Taylor signed with the Vikings in 2006 to take advantage of his first chance to be a full-time starting running back in the NFL.

Taylor made the most of his opportunity in 2006 as he finished ninth in the league in rushing with 1,216 yards to go along with 42 catches for 288 yards and six total touchdowns.

Despite his performance in 2006, Taylor was relegated to more of a backup role in his second season with Minnesota after they decided to select former Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson with their first-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.

Even with his demotion, Taylor was still an important piece of the Vikings' offense during his tenure with the franchise, especially in 2009 when he helped Minnesota earn a spot in the NFC Championship.

8. Darrin Nelson (1982 - 1992)

After a disappointing 1981 season in which they finished fourth in their division with a 7-9 record, the Vikings headed into the 1982 NFL Draft with the No. 7 overall pick.

With their selection, Minnesota decided to pass on former USC running back and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Marcus Allen in favor of Darrin Nelson, who had an outstanding college career at Stanford under head coach Bill Walsh.

Nelson's rookie year with the Vikings wasn't much to talk about, thanks to a strike-shortened season. But after that, he eventually established himself as a reliable dual-threat as a rusher and a receiver out of the backfield in Minnesota's offense.

Midway through the 1989 season, Nelson wound up being included in the trade with the Dallas Cowboys that resulted in the Vikings acquiring running back Herschel Walker.

Nelson didn't even play a single down for the Cowboys, and after a brief stint with the San Diego Chargers, he ended up back with Minnesota in 1991 for the final two seasons of his NFL career.

7. Ted Brown (1979 - 1986)

After injuries caused the unfortunate end to Chuck Foreman's dominance, the Vikings were in need of a new dynamic running back for their offense. To fill this role, Minnesota went ahead and used their first-round pick in the 1979 NFL Draft on former North Carolina State running back Ted Brown.

Brown had a decent rookie year in 1979, but his second and third seasons with the Vikings were really when he began to make a name for himself.

In both 1980 and 1981, Brown accumulated more than 1,530 yards from scrimmage while hauling in at least 60 passes. During this two-season stretch, he also scored a total of 18 touchdowns.

Brown spent all eight of his years in the NFL with Minnesota, and he still holds the franchise's record for career receptions by a running back. His 53 career touchdowns are also the fourth-most in Vikings history by a running back.