Vikings Star Remains in Search of Elusive First Pro Bowl Selection
Josh Frey
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Since being selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Christian Darrisaw has proven to be one of the best left tackles in the NFL.
The Vikings star has been a stalwart at the position, particularly over the past two seasons. However, after the Pro Bowl rosters were announced on Wednesday evening, Darrisaw remains in search of his first Pro Bowl selection.
Vikings Star Still Searching for First Pro Bowl Selection
This year, the NFC selections for offensive tackle are as follows:
- Trent Williams (San Francisco 49ers)
- Lane Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles)
- Penei Sewell (Detroit Lions)
Darrisaw is listed as a fourth alternate at the tackle position, so if players were to opt out due to injury or because they are participating in the Super Bowl, there is still a chance that the third-year player can make the team.
This isn’t entirely unrealistic seeing as all three of Johnson, Sewell, and Williams are set to make playoff runs this season with their respective teams.
However, it still seems egregious that Darrisaw could go three years without a single Pro Bowl selection. It makes sense that the left tackle didn’t make it in his rookie season, considering he started just 10 games in 2021.
Darrisaw then took over the starting role from Week 1 in 2022, and he appeared in 16 games throughout the season. The Vikings left tackle began his march towards being one of the best in the league. He earned the second-best PFF grade among all offensive tackles (90.4), behind only Williams of the 49ers (91.7).
Still, Darrisaw wasn’t selected to the Pro Bowl. The honors instead went to Johnson, Williams, and Tristan Wirfs while Penei Sewell eventually made the team as an alternate with Johnson competing for a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles.
It’s a similar story in 2023. Among players with at least 700 blocking snaps this season, Darrisaw has the fourth-highest PFF grade, and he has again been an elite player at the left tackle spot. Still, he has narrowly missed the cut yet again.
Of course, this is not to say that the trio who were selected this year are not worthy of the honor. All three of Johnson, Sewell, and Williams are incredible players, and the fact that Darrisaw is having trouble getting that Pro Bowl selection speaks to the depth at tackle in the NFC.
Hopefully, though, the Vikings left tackle can make it in 2024 because he is a special talent in the NFL and deserves the recognition as such.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
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