named to the preseason honorable mention All-America squad selected by NationalChamps.net. He was ranked as the No. 2 outside linebacker by The Sporting News, and named to the Bronko Nagurski and Lott Trophy watch lists. Professional career Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings selected Greenway in the first round (17th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. Greenway was the third linebacker drafted in 2006, behind Ohio State's A. J. Hawk (fifth overall) and Florida State's Ernie Sims (ninth overall). 2006 On July 23, 2006, the Minnesota Vikings signed Greenway to a five-year, $10.75 million contract that includes $6.14 million guaranteed. Throughout training camp, Greenway competed to be a starting outside linebacker against E. J. Henderson and Ben Leber. On August 14, 2006, Greenway tore his ACL in his left leg while covering a kickoff in the first quarter of the Vikings' 16–13 loss to the Oakland Raiders in their first preseason game. He subsequently missed his entire rookie season in 2006. 2007 The Minnesota Vikings hired Leslie Frazier as their new defensive coordinator after Mike Tomlin accepted the head coaching position with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Greenway entered training camp slated as a starting outside linebacker. Head coach Brad Childress named Greenway the starting weakside linebacker to begin the regular season, alongside Ben Leber and middle linebacker E. J. Henderson. He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Minnesota Vikings' season-opener against the Atlanta Falcons and recorded ten combined tackles (four solo) in their 24–3 victory. On November 18, 2007, he recorded seven combined tackles, a season-high two pass deflections, and made his first career interception off a pass by quarterback Daunte Culpepper during a 29–22 victory against the Oakland Raiders in Week 11. In Week 12, Greenway made three solo tackles, a pass deflection, and returned an interception for his first career touchdown in the Vikings' 41–17 win at the New York Giants. Greenway intercepted a pass by Giants' quarterback Eli Manning and returned it for a 37-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. On December 9, 2007, he collected a season-high 13 combined tackles (eight solo) during a 27–7 victory at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14. Greenway started all 16 games in 2007 and recorded 105 combined tackles (78 solo), four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and one touchdown. 2008 Head coach Brad Childress retained Greenway and Ben Leber as the starting