Twenty Most Important Minnesota Vikings Players

The Athletic’s Chad Graff tackled the exercise of ranking the Twenty Most Important Minnesota Vikings Players last Monday. I’ve been thinking about it fairly often since. Maybe putting a list of my own down will get it out of my head. It’s worth a try.

20. Greg Joseph, K

I have to start with the kicker. It’s been since the Ryan Longwell days that I didn’t stress over every damn field goal and extra point attempt. 

19. Jordan Hicks, LB

It’s going to be strange to see Eric Kendricks paired with a linebacker other than Anthony Barr. I’m looking forward to seeing what the Jordan Hicks-Eric Kendricks pairing can do. 

18. Kene Nwangwu, RB/Kick Returner

Kene Nwangwu made Vikings kick returns fun again. Every single time he gets an opportunity to return he’s a threat to score. His explosive returns are great but he’s on this list for what he might do on offense. His speed is special and he should have some unique opportunities in the Vikings new offense. He’ll also provide a nice change of pace as a running back.

17. K.J. Osborn, WR

K.J. Osborn emerged as a nice third receiving threat last year. The Vikings need him to make further strides to draw some of the inevitable attention paid to Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.

16. Eric Kendricks, LB

The Vikings just need Eric Kendricks to keep doing what he’s been doing since he entered the starting lineup as a rookie in 2015. 

15. Adam Thielen, WR

Adam Thielen has to stay on the field. 

14. Lewis Cine, S

Because of my expectations for Camryn Bynum, safety wasn’t even a thought in the first round or any of the early rounds. My excitement to see Lewis Cine paired with Harrison Smith might only be exceeded by my excitement to Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius terrorizing quarterbacks. I expect a dynamite career from Cine and I expect to see it start as a rookie. 

13. Brian O’Neill, OT

The Vikings offensive line finally appears to be headed in the right direction. As of now, Brian O’Neill is the only one that has emerged as a better than league average talent. The Vikings need him to lead and mentor his line-mates. 

12. Harrison Smith, S

Like Eric Kendricks, Harrison Smith’s playing baseline is high, very high. The Vikings need him to continue at that level and lead and mentor his young safety-mates. 

11. Harrison Phillips, DT

During his introductory press conference, Harrison Phillips referred to himself as a nose tackle. I expect him to play in several spots along the Vikings new defensive line. He was added to shut down running games and keep Eric Kendricks and Jordan Hicks clean. 

10. Cam Dantzler, CB

Cam Dantzler’s good moments are very good. His bad moments are very bad. The Vikings need him to be the cornerback that he has the talent to be. If he can’t do that consistently, he’ll be watching rookie Andrew Booth Jr. 

  9. Christian Darrisaw, OT

The optimism over the potential of the Vikings offensive line is mostly due to the optimism over the potential of Christian Darrisaw as the team’s franchise left tackle. 

  8. Za’Darius Smith, Edge

Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith. I can not wait to see this pair on the field together. Both must stay on the field. 

  7. Dalvin Cook, RB

Many seem to think that Dalvin Cook’s importance in this new Vikings offense will be reduced. I’m not so sure. Smart football coaches take advantage of talents like Cook. Maybe his touches per game drop a bit. Maybe that helps him play more games. The only knock on his game has been durability. 

  6. Garrett Bradbury, C

Garrett Bradbury’s football future, certainly his Vikings football future, comes down to this season. The new coaches must find a way to maximize his unique movement skills and minimize his apparent strength and size limitations. 

  5. Patrick Peterson, CB

Patrick Peterson was the Vikings best and most consistent cornerback last season. That isn’t really saying much. He was good last season. Hopefully, he’s better this season. His leadership and mentorship is very important to a room and field full of young corners. 

  4. Irv Smith, Jr., TE

I feel like I’ve been waiting years for Irv Smith Jr. to break out. Really, it’s only been a year. Last year was supposed to be his break out season. Unfortunately a preseason knee injury wiped out that breakout season. This year must be that season. It’s also his contract season. He’s probably second on the team to Justin Jefferson as a receiving talent. Smith must stay on the field. If he does, he will dominate. 

  3. Danielle Hunter, Edge

Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith. I can not wait. 

  2. Kirk Cousins, QB

He’s the quarterback. The quarterback is always high on any list like this. 

  1. Justin Jefferson, WR

What Justin Jefferson has done his first two seasons is incredible. He’s made it look so easy. He’s made it look easy because he’s such a smooth receiver. He does everything so well. Routes, hands, body-positioning. He’s also such a competitive athlete and person. That might be what truly makes him special. Jefferson is so fun to watch. 

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I tried to fit the following among the twenty most important Vikings players. 

Andrew Booth Jr.

C.J. Ham

Ezra Cleveland