Nov 3, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Minnesota Vikings helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings have a nifty 5-2 record through eight weeks entirely because general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah produced a free-agent masterclass seven months ago.
Thanks to contributors like Sam Darnold, Aaron Jones, Jonathan Greenard, Blake Cashman, and Stephen Gilmore, the club has a decent chance to reach the postseason if it can solve its recent two-game losing rut.
But the top free-agent addition, according to ESPN, through seven games is outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. He’s number one with a bullet, says Kevin Seifert.
“The Vikings’ front office produced a stellar free agent class, and the team would not be 5-2 without contributions from running back Aaron Jones, corner Stephon Gilmore and linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Blake Cashman, among others,” Seifert wrote this week, naming Van Ginkel the purple team’s best offseason addition.
That Van Ginkel tidbit was included in ESPN’s latest power rankings, which placed Minnesota at No. 9.
Seifert added, “But none has been as impactful as Van Ginkel, who not only is tied for the team lead with five sacks but has also used a unique understanding of the short-range passing game to return two interceptions for touchdowns. He is a legitimate candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.”
Van Ginkel ripped off a Daniel Jones pass against the New York Giants in Week 1 and scampered 10 yards for paydirt. Four weeks later, he did it again, this time off New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, taking a pick to the house from 54 yards away. He became the first player in NFL history to record at least 3 sacks and multiple interception returns for touchdowns in a season’s first five games. Before him, no player had ever done it.
Not bad.
Van Ginkel has started all seven Vikings games in 2024, banking 33 total tackles, 19 QB pressures, 8 QB Hits, 8 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 2 touchdowns. He’s also accountable for a marvelous 77.2 Pro Football Focus grade. He’s that damn good.
Minnesota signed Van Ginkel soon after long-time outside linebacker Danielle Hunter bolted in free agency to the Houston Texans, promising a one-two punch with him and Jonathan Greenard, who arrived from Hunter’s new team, the Texans. Six weeks later, Minnesota also drafted Dallas Turner for good measure, solidifying the Vikings’ pass-rushing plan for 2024 and beyond.
The Vikings’ 2024 free-agent class is unique, too, because players like Darnold, Jones, Greenard, and Van Ginkel feel like equal and vital contributors.
But per ESPN, Van Ginkel is the top dog.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.