Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings fans reacts during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
Some might consider it too low, but Minnesota Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw earned Top 10 kudos last week from ESPN.
The sports media giant ranked the NFL’s top tackles, and Darrisaw checked in at No. 6.
Jeremy Fowler explained the No. 6 ranking, “Somehow, Darrisaw hasn’t made a Pro Bowl in his first three NFL seasons, but the talent is unquestionably of a Pro Bowl caliber. His 87.1 pass block win rate isn’t stellar, but stats don’t encapsulate Darrisaw’s game. He passes the eye test.”
Trent Williams (No. 1, San Francisco 49ers), Penei Sewell (No. 2, Detroit Lions), Laremy Tunsil (No. 3, Houston Texans), Tristan Wirfs (No. 4, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and Lane Johnson (No. 5, Philadelphia Eagles) checked in ahead of Darrisaw. And that’s the group that generally takes Darrisaw’s spot(s) via Pro Bowl voting, as Fowler mentioned. Darrisaw ranked ninth in last year’s edition of ESPN OT rankings, so the young lineman climbed three spots.
Right tackle Brian O’Neill received no love from ESPN — no ranking or honorable mention.
Meanwhile, Darrisaw enters Year No. 4 this season, prime territory for extension talks to heat up, just like Jefferson last year at this time. And before too long, Darrisaw will land an enormous deal, but the Vikings evidently aren’t in a rush to finalize the agreement anytime soon. Darrisaw’s representation and the Vikings’ front office have reportedly already begun the exploratory chats of an extension, and when the time arrives, the young lineman’s contract will probably be the largest for an offensive tackle in NFL history.
Pro Football Focus ranked Darrisaw as the eighth-best offensive tackle in 2023, and his consistency is top-notch. The only knock on Darrisaw is injury — he’s missed 18% of his career games due to various ailments.
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis opined on the extension topic earlier this month, and while Minnesota will obviously prioritize the deal, there is no rush, generally speaking. “Darrisaw is eligible for an extension, and the Vikings certainly want to keep him around for the long haul. The question is: Can the two sides find common ground with two seasons still remaining on Darrisaw’s rookie contract? General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has explained that extensions after three seasons of a rookie contract are hard to come by,” he wrote.
So, when the Vikings’ front office gets down to brass tacks, it will pay a Top 10 NFL tackle, a factoid known by most but confirmed by ESPN-sourced executives, scouts, and coaches.
Darrisaw turned 25 last month.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.