Christian Darrisaw Is Following Justin Jefferson’s Footsteps Towards the Elite
Adam New
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The vision from Vikings leadership is simple. They want to build a franchise with a “championship standard,” ultimately delivering the long-awaited Super Bowl to the success-starved Vikings fanbase. To do that, you need good players, and lots of them, but you also need great players — those at the very top end in their position and are considered elite.
The Vikings have one player who is arguably the best in the league at his position, but could they have two next season?
Christian Darrisaw is following Justin Jefferson’s footsteps toward the elite. Jefferson is seen by many as the best wide receiver in the league. You would do well to find someone who doesn’t have him in the top 3, at least. Outside of Jefferson, who else do the Vikings have who are at the top end of players in the league at their position?
Christian Darrisaw Is Following Justin Jefferson’s Footsteps Towards the Elite
EDGE rushers Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith are certainly up there and are close to unmatched as a duo. After a season free from injury and a new aggressive playcaller in Brian Flores, look for a huge season from Hunter in 2023. The only other player with a claim to be near the top end of his position is T.J. Hockenson, who, after a very productive start to his career in Minnesota, is in the group of tight ends behind Travis Kelce.
Darrisaw has already forced his way into the conversation of best players in the league at his position. In his third season, can he progress further and become the best offensive tackle in the league?
Despite missing the preseason and first three games of his rookie season with a groin injury and a further two games later on in the season with an ankle injury, Darrisaw impressed in his rookie year. The expectation was high with him fully healthy coming into the start of Year 2, and the Virginia Tech alumnus didn’t disappoint. He raised his game to a new level, showcasing why he was drafted as a first-rounder. Unfortunately, there were missed games again, three of them, due to conclusions. So, we have yet to see the tackle stay healthy for an entire season.
Pro Football Focus graded him at 90.4, second only to Trent Williams with 91.7 among offensive tackles. The San Francisco man is widely considered the best tackle in the league but will be 35 when the new season kicks off. How long can he continue? Sooner rather than later, someone will take his crown, and Darrisaw is positioned to be that man.
The Competition
Of course, others will have something to say about that, for example, Andrew Thomas, who was drafted by the Giants a year before Darrisaw entered the league. He was PFF’s third-highest-graded tackle with 90.3. These two will be compared a lot over the coming years and be the center of the best tackle in the league argument. Other young tackles who expect to be in that conversation include Peneii Sewell, Tristan Wirfs, and Rashawn Slater. Of course, new tackles will come into the league each year, hoping to make their mark.
Coming out of Virginia Tech, Darrisaw was regarded as one of the top offensive tackle prospects in a stacked class heading into that year’s draft. He was the fifth of five linemen taken in the first round of the 2021 draft. Pre-draft, it was uncertain if he’d be on the board when the Vikings picked, but Minnesota was actually able to trade down from 14 and get their man at pick 23.
The New York Jets selected Alijah Vera-Tucker at No. 14, and the versatile lineman has become their starting guard. Sewell and Slater have had good starts to their careers, while the fourth player selected ahead of Darrisaw was Alex Leatherwood. The Raiders moved him to guard after a shaky start and then released him after just one season.
So far, Darrisaw has outshined the rest of his draft class, perhaps playing with a chip on his shoulder. Minnesota is certainly grateful the other four teams passed on him. He has proved his name belongs in the company of the best tackles in the league. The question now is — can he take it up to yet another level?
What Makes Darrisaw Great?
At 6’5 and 322 pounds and long arms that are perfect for keeping defenders at bay, Darrisaw is the ideal size and length to play offensive tackle, while possessing both power and athleticism. This means he performs at a high level in both pass protection and run blocking, which makes him so unique.
Many linemen are clearly better in one phase than the other, and while Darrisaw could stand to polish up his technique, footwork, and hand placement, his pass blocking has stood up well, earning an 81.8 grade from PFF, which was 14th best in the league. In comparison, his run-blocking grade of 90.2 was third-best in the league. Darrisaw can do it all.
To be performing so well after just two seasons bodes well for the Vikings future. Even with the disadvantage of injury delaying the start of his rookie year, Darrisaw took straight to the NFL like a duck to water and has gone from strength to strength. He is already playing at an elite level, and the possibility for further improvement is a mouthwatering prospect. If he can find that little extra in pass protection, he can become the best tackle in the league.
If he does that, after Jefferson gets his big payday this year, it will be Darrisaw’s turn next.
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