Only 2 Vikings Included in Top 100 List
We’ve reached June, a slow month in the NFL calendar. Free agency and the draft are in the past, and training camp is still a month away. That’s the perfect time for NFL media to drop some lists. CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco published his annual top 100 list.
Just 2 Vikings made Pete Prisco’s annual list.
His top player remains Patrick Mahomes. The next three are Myles Garrett, Saquon Barkley, and Josh Allen. And then we reach the first Viking.
Justin Jefferson
Justin Jefferson comes in fifth as the first wideout. Prisco’s note: “Jefferson continues to make a strong case as the best receiver in the league. He had 103 catches with 10 touchdowns last season, but had 28 catches of 20 yards or more to lead the league.”
The perennial Pro Bowler ranked seventh a year ago following his shortened season due to the hamstring injury. In a season with only ten games, he still eclipsed 1,000 yards. With Sam Darnold throwing him the ball and the hamstring holding up, he returned to the upper echelon of receiving statistics.
Although he couldn’t quite match Ja’Marr Chase’s numbers, Jefferson still registered 1,533 yards and ten touchdowns and ranks three spots ahead of his former college teammate.
To defend his WR1 position, Jefferson needs to form a connection with new starter J.J. McCarthy early in the season. The 26-year-old is still the all-time leader in yards per game and is well on pace to break Randy Moss’ record for the most receiving yards in a player’s first six seasons.
Jefferson is an obvious choice near the top of any list, and if he’s not there, the list is invalid.
Christian Darrisaw
Prisco’s other Viking is Christian Darrisaw. The left tackle missed about half the season with a torn ACL, but he has done enough to convince the analyst.
Prisco wrote, “Darrisaw was limited to seven starts last season because of a torn ACL. When he was on the field, he was playing at a dominating level. He’s one of the best pass blockers in the league.”
Darrisaw has been snubbed for accolades in his career. He has yet to make a trip to the Pro Bowl and has not been part of any All-Pro teams. Prisco, however, has been a fan. A year ago, Darrisaw ranked 54th; this year, he dropped five slots to 59th.
The blocker is the total package as he brings power and mobility to the table. He is dominant in the passing and the running game and can truly bully defenders. His knee injury might keep him sidelined for a game or two to start the year, but once he’s back, the Vikings are likely to have the best offensive line they’ve had in a long time.
CBS Sports Names a Snub
Prisco delivered his top-100 list, but fellow CBS Sports analyst John Breech picked it up and named some snubs. Among those was Aaron Jones, Minnesota’s top running back from last season.
Breech commented: “Unlike the Stafford snub, which might go down as the greatest snub in the history of Prisco’s top 100, there’s no huge snub at the running back position. I have Jones here because he was one of seven running backs who finished with at least 1,540 yards from scrimmage in 2024. The other six running backs made Prisco’s list, but Jones got snubbed.”
Jones came to the Vikings after some injury concerns slowed him down in 2023, and the Packers opted to go with Josh Jacobs. While the Packers were happy with their new runner, the Vikings enjoyed their first year with Jones.
Jones played in all 18 games and logged career-best numbers in yards from scrimmage and touches. He is on the wrong side of 30 and was banged up a few times last year, but he hasn’t slowed down much, if at all, and might be more efficient this year with Jordan Mason taking some carries off his plate.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.