The NFL’s preseason is over, and the regular season is finally approaching. Less than two weeks before the season kicks off, media outlets are getting one last push of content in anticipation of the season. That includes ESPN unveiling their picks for the top 100 players of 2024.
To create their list, ESPN surveyed dozens of in-house NFL experts to obtain their opinions on players for the upcoming season. The criteria were solely focused on projecting the coming season, disregarding past performance.
The Minnesota Vikings have three players on the list for this season. The first player on the list is offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw, who comes in at number 97 for ESPN. In their justification, they point out that Darrisaw’s movement skills are one of his best features as a lineman. He can block in space on screens and quick passes.
His “signature stat” was his run block win rate of 77%, which is the highest on the team. Their only question about Darrisaw—and likely why he isn’t significantly higher on this list—is his injury history. Still, they believe that Darrisaw will be selected for a Pro Bowl and/or All-Pro selection shortly.
Speaking of injuries, the next Viking on the list is tight end T.J. Hockenson, who comes in at number 79. However, Hockenson is likely to start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and miss the beginning portion of the season.
Despite that, when Hockenson returns, he will likely be a major part of the Vikings’ offense. His “signature stat” is that he is one of only three tight ends to have 50 or more receptions and 500 or more receiving yards in each of the past four seasons, joining Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelce and Houston Texans’ Dalton Schultz.
Unsurprisingly, the final Vikings player on ESPN’s Top 100 for 2024 is Justin Jefferson. Jefferson kicks off the top 3 for ESPN’s projection, coming in behind only quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes, making Jefferson the highest-rated non-quarterback on the list. Which goes along well with his new contract that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.
Despite playing only 10 games in 2023 due to a lingering hamstring injury, Jefferson still turned in his fourth-straight season over 1,000 yards, despite the quarterback carousel the Vikings experienced after Kirk Cousins’s injury. Jefferson proved last season that it doesn’t matter who throws him the ball; he’s going to produce.
He will have to prove that again this season, as the Vikings are slated to have Sam Darnold as their starting quarterback, who has famously struggled so far in his career. If Darnold struggles again this season, it could be a repeat at the position for Minnesota.
Jefferson’s “signature stat” is his average of nearly 100 yards (98.3) per game over his four seasons, which is the highest mark in NFL history for players with at least 50 career games.
