Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema recently wrote a piece breaking down each team’s top three players and he has Justin Jefferson, Danielle Hunter and Christian Darrisaw as the three best Minnesota Vikings.
With three straight elite receiving grades to start his career, it is silly just how good Justin Jefferson has been since coming into the league in 2020. Hunter is still a force on that defensive line, as he has recorded double-digit sacks in each of his past three seasons when fully healthy, including 2022. Darrisaw barely secured the last spot over Cook, simply because they feel like two players who could be moving in different directions. Cook, while still a very good back, posted 4.5 yards per carry and an inefficient 23.4% stuff rate in 2022 (how often a back gains zero or negative yards on a carry). Meanwhile, Darrisaw jumped to an elite 91.1 overall blocking grade in his second season.
When you look at the Vikings roster, putting these three at the top makes complete sense. Jefferson is (arguably) the best wide receiver in the NFL, especially after his MVP caliber ceiling in 2022.
Hunter is due for a new extension this offseason and delivered last year with 10.5 sacks and finished tied for eighth in the NFL with 76 pressures per PFF.
Darrisaw played well in his rookie season, but really burst onto the scene for the Vikings in 2022. He allowed only 23 pressures and five sacks in 2022 and should finally get the national recognition he deserves this year.
The Vikings have some high-end talent at premium position on the roster that will propel them forward in the years to come.
