Vikings Center Pat Elflein Named to PFWA All-Rookie Team

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Jan 17, 2018
Image courtesy of Vikings.com

Taken with the 70th overall pick in the third-round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Vikings center Pat Elfein made an immediate impact as a rookie out of Ohio State. The athletic 23 year-old was a big part of Minnesota’s offensive turnaround; one that saw the Vikings improve from 28th in total offense last season to 11th in 2017.

Elflein was named to the Pro Football Writers of America 2017 All-Rookie Team Tuesday.

Making a large impact in both the screen pass game and rushing attack, Elflein quickly became the anchor of the Vikings’ revamped offensive line.

Behind Elflein and the “new” o-line, Minnesota improved drastically on the ground. In 2017 the Vikings ranked seventh in the NFL in rushing, averaging 122.3 yards per game. Last year the team averaged 75.3 yards per game (32nd in the NFL).

The former wrestler also helped protect quarterback Case Keenum, who like Elflein started 14 games for the Vikings this season (Elflein missed two games with a shoulder injury.) The Vikings improved from 23rd in sacks allowed in 2016 (38) to seventh this season (27).

According to FoxSports.com, Elflein gave up four sacks for 33 yards in his rookie season. He was penalized once for five yards.

The 2017 All-Rookie Team, from the official PFWA Twitter feed.