3 Vikings Get All-Pro Nods
The Minnesota Vikings have recorded a highly surprising 14-3 win-loss record in the 2024 season. Most expected the offense around Sam Darnold and the up-and-down defense from the previous season to finish somewhere around six or seven wins and compete for draft picks rather than playoff seeding.
3 Vikings Get All-Pro Nods
That success, of course, put players in the spotlight. The franchise has six Pro Bowlers, and two guys, Darnold and Kevin O’Connell, are expected to be given some award consideration.
On Thursday, the Associated Press announced its annual All-Pro teams, and three Vikings were included.
Justin Jefferson
The 2020 first-round selection has been in the league for five years. Outside of last year, when he missed seven games due to a hamstring injury, he has been chosen for All-Pro honors in every campaign.
The first-team nomination is the second of his career (after 2022), and he earned second-team in 2020 and 2021. He is one of only two unanimous selections (Ja’Marr Chase), earning all 50 first-place votes.
In 17 games this year, Jefferson has produced 103 receptions for 1,533 yards and ten touchdowns. The Vikings’ offense is still running through him, but the lowered passing volume has slightly decreased his numbers. Regardless, he is the ultimate weapon, drawing double teams consistently and still being effective.
Andrew DePaola
Andrew DePaola was a 2022 first-team All-Pro choice and landed second-team honors in 2023. This year, he made his return to the top unit. Even the four missed games with a hand injury didn’t distract the voters.
It’s quite hard to judge long snappers, but the fact that he has been named to three consecutive Pro Bowls in addition to three All-Pro teams suggests that he simply is the best at what he does.
His career has been quite eventful. DePaola entered the league in 2012, but he didn’t make his NFL debut until 2015. A torn ACL knocked him out of the 2018 season, and he couldn’t find a team until the Vikings called in November of 2020.
Andrew Van Ginkel
Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel has been nothing short of spectacular in his first season in purple. After reuniting with former head coach Brian Flores, Van Ginkel has finally experienced a true breakout season, resulting in 11.5 sacks and a pair of pick-sixes.
Together with Jonathan Greenard (who might be Minnesota’s top snub), he has harassed opposing quarterbacks all year. Van Ginkel made second-team and is also a first-time Pro Bowler.
The versatile defender signed a two-year contract worth $20 million in the last offseason, and the front office found the ultimate bargain. His ability to drop into coverage has taken Flores’ crazy scheme to the next level.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt