Top 20 Minnesota Vikings Players

On a recent podcast, the fine folks at Skor North picked their Top 20 Minnesota Vikings Players. The idea has been rattling around my head ever since. So, here’s another look at the Top 20 Minnesota Vikings Players. This ranking is a varying combination of “best” and “most important” players.

20. Ed Ingram, G

19. Ty Chandler, RB

18. Garrett Bradbury, C

17. Dallas Turner, Edge

16. Harrison Smith, S

15. Byron Murphy Jr., CB

14. Blake Cashman, LB

13. Harrison Phillips, DT

12. Josh Metellus, S

11. Jordan Addison, WR

10. Aaron Jones, RB

  9. Camryn Bynum, S

  8. Sam Darnold/J.J. McCarthy, QB

  7. Andrew Van Ginkel, Edge

  6. Ivan Pace Jr., LB

  5. Brian O’Neill, OT

  4. Jonathan Greenard, Edge

  3. T.J. Hockenson, TE

  2. Christian Darrisaw, OT

  1. Justin Jefferson, WR

The Top 3 are pretty easy. After that, the next 10-12 could be in nearly any order. 

A few other thoughts:

1. Perhaps it’s simply blind optimism but I expect any quarterback that starts for the Vikings to be successful. That’s why I believe the various talking heads that are saying that Sam Darnold could keep the job through the season. If he’s playing well and the Vikings are winning, why make a change? As much as I want to see J.J. McCarthy on the field I want to see the team win even more. 

2. I believe that Dallas Turner’s stay outside of the Top 10 on a list like this will be very brief. 

3. I also believe that rookie corner Khyree Jackson will emerge as an early starter and soon break into the list. 

4. Four members of the offensive line is on this list

Ed Ingram

Garrett Bradbury

Brian O’Neill

Christian Darrisaw

The tackles, Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw, are two of the best and most important players on the team. With the Vikings introducing a new quarterback, Garrett Bradbury’s excellence in coordinating the offensive line and making the line calls will be crucial. Ed Ingram has made steady improvement in his two years in the league. Further improvement is needed but it feels like he’s on his way to a solid Vikings career. The missing offensive lineman is whoever plays left guard. Right now, Blake Brandel is in the pole position to make the position his. 

5. The Vikings defensive players selected at the top of the 2022 NFL Draft might have a fading spotlight on them. Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth Jr., and Brian Asamoah were drafted to take the Vikings defense into the next era. Going into their third year, they were supposed to be easy picks for a list like this. So far, none have even scratched out a contributing role. This could be their last opportunity to reverse their Vikings story.