The Minnesota Vikings have had a lot of talented players throughout their 60-plus-year history.
They have the most wins for a franchise that has never won the Super Bowl and made four appearances in the biggest game of the year, tied for the most among teams that have never won a world title.
Despite all of that, the Vikings have found a way to select eight Hall of Famers and signed two more who were undrafted free agents. They have been one of the more successful and storied franchises in the National Football League.
Here’s a look at every player to wear No. 81 with the Vikings (via Pro Football Reference):
Every Minnesota Vikings player to wear No. 81
WR Lucky Jackson 2023-2024
The Vikings signed Jackson away from the then XFL's D.C. Defenders along with his teammates QB Jordan Ta'amu and RB Abram Smith. Jackson was on the practice squad for the majority of the season and looks to earn a roster spot this season.
WR Malik Knowles 2023
Knowles was signed as a UDFA out of Kansas State after the 2023 NFL Draft but was waived with an injury designation. He went unclaimed and reverted to IR.
WR Olabisi Johnson 2019
Johnson was a seventh-round pick out of Colorado State who played all 32 games in his first two seasons, including nine starts. He caught 45 passes for 483 yards and three touchdowns before back-to-back ACL tears cratered his career.
TE Blake Bell 2017
The former Oklahoma quarterback made the transition to tight end in the NFL nad has thrived. He spent just one season with the Vikings blocking for the likes of Dalvin Cook, Jerick McKinnon and Latavius Murray.
WR Jerome Simpson 2012-2013
Simpson carved out an eight-year career and played for the Vikings in two of them. He caught less than 50% of his targets with 74 receptions for 1,000 yards and a touchdown.
TE Visanthe Shiancoe 2007-2011
After four years with the New York Giants, the Vikings signed Shiancoe as a free agent and he played five great seasons for the Vikings. He was a favorite target of Brett Favre, catching 208 passes for 2,424 yards and 24 touchdowns.
WR Bethel Johnson 2006
A second-round pick of the New England Patriots in the 2003 NFL Draft, Johnson spent his fourth and final season in the NFL with the Vikings, where he played in 11 games as a kick returner.
WR Nate Burleson 2003-2005
Burleson was a third-round pick out of the University of Nevada and burst onto the scene in 2004 with 1,006 yards. He took advantage of the five games that Randy Moss was injured and made the best of it. He was also the second half of the infamous poison pill situation with the Seattle Seahawks and signed with the Seahawks. He played 11 seasons in the NFL and is now a famous broadcaster.
WR Chris Walsh 1994-2002
After being a ninth-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in the 1992 NFL Draft, Walsh joined the Vikings in 1994 and was a stalwart special teamer across 134 games.
WR Anthony Carter 1985-1993
Carter spent time in the USFL before joining the Vikings, where he was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and had 227 receiving yards against the San Francisco 49ers in the 1987 divisional round of the playoffs. He spent the final two seasons of his career with the Detroit Lions, where he played in just seven games.
WR Rickey Parks 1987
Parks was a replacement player for the Vikings and played in just two games with three catches for 46 yards.
TE Joe Senser 1980-1984
Senser was a member of the Vikings for five seasons and was a beloved tight end who parlayed his success into owning Joe Sensers Sports Bar and Grill and was the color commentator on radio broadcasts as well.
DE Carl Eller 1964-1978
Arguably the best Minnesota Vikings player ever, Eller was a first-round pick in both the AFL Draft (5th overall) and the NFL Draft (6th overall). As a Minnesota Golden Gopher, he stayed home and that was the right choice, as he thrived in Minnesota. Eller played in 225 games and had an estimated (by Pro Football Reference, as sacks weren't an official stat until 1982). He was a first-team All-Pro four times, second-team once and a Pro Bowl selection six times. He spent the final year of his career with the Seattle Seahawks in 1979.
E Leon Clarke 1963
Clarke spent the final year of his eight-year career with the Vikings. He only caught three passes in Minnesota, but he was a Pro Bowl receiver in his rookie season of 1956.
