Vikings Most Impactful Players So Far This Season
As we head into the Minnesota Vikings’ 10th game, I wanted to look at the Vikings’ most impactful players so far this season — the players who have had the most significant roles in helping the Vikings to their current 7-2 record.
Vikings Most Impactful Players So Far This Season
Before we get to the five guys I picked, I want to acknowledge some players who could have made this list. First, linebacker Blake Cashman has been super impactful, but he’s missed three games through injury — that’s a third of the season. If he stays healthy, I expect him to be one of the most impactful players throughout the season. Christian Darrisaw is always impactful, but having missed the last 2.5 games and with no prospect of a return this season, I left him out.
Sam Darnold also didn’t make the cut. He was doing enough in the early games to keep the Vikings winning, but it’s become more of a struggle. The Vikings’ last three wins owe a lot more to the defense than Sam’s quarterback play. Harrison Phillips has also been good and a big part of the Vikings’ much-improved run defense this season, but he also doesn’t quite make it.
Justin Jefferson
Nobody in the league is more impactful than Justin Jefferson. As he chases more records this week, Jefferson trails only his former LSU teammate on the receiving yards leaderboard. Jefferson has 831 yards and five touchdowns through nine games. Chase leads him by 150 yards but has yet to have his bye week. You can be assured Jefferson has his eye on that receiving yards title he was awarded in 2022 when he was also named offensive player of the year.
Jefferson’s impact stretches far beyond what it says on the stat sheet, though. Teams are so scared of what Jefferson might do that they change their whole defensive game plan to try to stop him. Sometimes, it makes no difference, and other times, it leaves the path clear for the likes of TJ Hockenson or Jordan Addison. Whether getting him the ball or using him as a decoy, Jefferson’s fingerprints are always all over a game.
Brian O’Neill
It has been a great season so far for Brian O’Neill; the veteran right tackle is arguably playing better than ever before. With the injury to Darrisaw, O’Neill has become even more critical to the Vikigs OL. Pro Football Focus ranks O’Neill as the 10th-best tackle in the league this year, with an overall grade of 83.1. O’Neill is the mark of consistency with a pass-blocking grade of 80.5 and a run-blocking grade of 81.4.
The Vikings’ right tackle has only allowed 9 pressures and 1 sack while committing 3 penalties. If he continues in this form, he will be in line for end-of-season accolades like the Pro Bowl.
Jonathan Greenard
As the big free agency signing this year and the replacement for Danielle Hunter, there was an expectation for Jonathan Greenard to deliver in a big way. He hasn’t disappointed. Greenard has been a constant source of pressure from the edge for the Vikings and is one of the league leaders for QB pressures. He has also been good in run defense, showcasing that he is not a one-trick pony on the edge. Greenard has 7 sacks, 26 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, and 2 pass deflections.
Andrew Van Ginkel
Andrew Van Ginkel exploded onto the scene with two pick-6s in his first five games as a Viking. He also has 6 sacks, 38 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, and 3 pass deflections. Van Ginkel has formed an excellent partnership with Greenard on the edge, covering all aspects of the position in Brian Flores’s complex defense.
Add in that Van Ginkel is a Midwesterner who could model as the Vikings logo, and he has immediately become a fan favorite in Minnesota.
Byron Murphy
Making plays in the big moments will always get players noticed, and the Vikings’ CB, Byron Murphy, is getting a reputation for that. He has four interceptions this season, three of which have come in the fourth quarter. He also has a fourth-quarter forced fumble. This led to PFF giving him the clutch defender tag, a moniker any defensive player would like. Murphy is currently looking as good as he has ever done since arriving in Minnesota before last season started. He has an interception in each of the last three games. He can look to continue that run this week against the Tennessee Titans.
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