3 Vikings Offensive Players Most Likely to Make First Pro Bowl
Two annual Pro Bowl threats departed from the Minnesota Vikings in the 2024 offseason. Kirk Cousins moved on after captaining the offense for six seasons. He has been to four Pro Bowls in his career. The same number on his resume has defender Danielle Hunter, who signed with the Houston Texans, his hometown team.
3 Vikings Offensive Players Most Likely to Make First Pro Bowl
The offensive players who have appeared at a Pro Bowl in their careers are Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, Aaron Jones, and Brian O’Neill. These three players could join that list in the upcoming season.
3. Jordan Addison
Of the four first-rounders selected during Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s tenure as Minnesota’s general manager, only wide receiver Jordan Addison has shown that first-round talent. Dallas Turner and J.J. McCarthy will hopefully follow him this season. The latter could increase Addison’s Pro Bowl chances.
In his rookie season, he was supposed to be the second fiddle to Jefferson and feast when the defense solely focused on the superstar. Because JJ missed time with a hamstring injury, he had a much bigger chance to produce, and he ultimately finished the season with 70 receptions, 911 receiving yards, and ten touchdowns as the third player in the Super Bowl era with those numbers.
Addison’s statistical output saw a slight slump without Cousins under center, but he still managed to be effective on the outside. In addition to tallying a solid yardage count and an outstanding touchdown total, he made some highlight plays, showing his potential. Considering the primary concern with him was his size, his talent to grab contested catches was a genuine surprise.
If the Vikings figure out the quarterback position, his Pro Bowl chances increase drastically. The starting passer must be good enough to support the Pro Bowl bids for not just one but two receivers, but Addison has shown the skills to be a volume target, and until Hockenson returns, nobody will eat into the duo’s targets.
2. Sam Darnold
Quarterback Sam Darnold might be the surprise player on the list, but he has a good case. For the first time in his career, he will be helped by a decent supporting cast. Having the dynamic duo of Jefferson and Addison on the outside can help any QB look good, and tight end T.J. Hockenson will return at some point, while running back Aaron Jones has always been a capable security blanket in the passing game.
Darnold’s resume includes several turnovers and the adjective bust. However, with increased help, he may be able to revive his underwhelming career. The Vikings coaching staff, which contains not one but two former NFL quarterbacks, can support him in his growth. Last season, Kevin O’Connell helped Nick Mullens and Joshua Dobbs to be productive, and Darnold is way more talented.
The one requirement to produce a Baker Mayfield type of season is that he actually starts the entire year. If rookie McCarthy usurps him, that Pro Bowl chance is dead. His performance depends on whether he will stick in the starting lineup, but there’s certainly reason to believe he is the starter in Week 1.
1. Christian Darrisaw
After years of subpar play, Minnesota’s offensive line was a pleasant surprise in 2023. While the line’s interior is still prone to mistakes, the offensive tackles are phenomenal with O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw.
Darrisaw was Rick Spielman’s final first-round selection. Coming out of Virginia Tech, the offensive tackle was viewed as an outstanding pass protector, but he even exceeded expectations, immediately providing an upgrade at the left tackle spot.
Entering year two, comparisons to future Hall of Famer Trent Williams appeared when the duo met in training camp during a joint practice session with the 49ers. Darrisaw had a breakout season and became an incredible left tackle.
Darrisaw deserved to make the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons, but the loaded offensive tackle position in the NFC prevented that from happening. Still, as his name gets more recognition among the coaches and fans (who vote for the players to the Pro Bowl), his chances to make his debut skyrocket.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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