2 Surprising Vikings Lead the Way in Pro Bowl Voting
NFL Pro Bowl voting is about a week old, and the Minnesota Vikings will be handsomely represented when the participants are announced.
2 Surprising Vikings Lead the Way in Pro Bowl Voting
Minnesota has a 10-2 record through 13 weeks and a 99.8% probability of reaching the postseason, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index.
And while the usual suspects headline early Pro Bowl voting returns — see: Justin Jefferson — two Vikings players turned heads.
Byron Murphy (CB)
Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling tweeted Monday, “The Vikings have four players who lead the NFC in pro bowl votes at their positions: Justin Jefferson, Andrew Van Ginkel, Byron Murphy Jr. and Andrew DePaola. As a team, the Vikings have received the fourth-most Pro Bowl votes for their players, behind the Lions, Ravens and Chiefs.”
That’s right — Murphy shares space via CB Pro Bowl voting with Baltimore Ravens corner Marlon Humphrey, a totally unforeseen initial outcome if one would’ve guessed a month or so ago.
Murphy has flourished in Year No. 2 with the purple team, tabulating 5 interceptions and 58 total tackles. He also owns a 72.9 Pro Football Focus grade, ranking 18th among all qualifying cornerbacks.
The veteran corner joined Minnesota’s roster 21 months ago in free agency, and truth be told, his first season with the club (2023) wasn’t overly noteworthy. Murphy played well last season but has morphed into a star in 2024.
His contract also expires at season’s end, and if he grabs a Pro Bowl nod, his value will shoot to the moon.
Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB)
Van Ginkel has already scored 2 defensive touchdowns in 2024, his first season as a Viking. And while those transactions were spectacular, they don’t begin to describe his effect on the franchise.
The ex-Miami Dolphin feels involved in every Vikings defensive play, a true disruptor with the utmost versatility. He can sack quarterbacks, stuff running backs, fall back into pass coverage, and tackle with the best of his peers.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah inked Van Ginkel to a two-year, $20 million deal in March, and he might be the organization’s best value contract of all players not on rookie deals.
The 29-year-old has notched 59 total tackles, 15 quarterback hits, 15 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 touchdowns, and a forced fumble. He and his counterpart, Jonathan Greenard, are playing so efficiently that 1st-Rounder Dallas Turner doesn’t see the field as much as fans expected when the season kicked off.
Van Ginkel shares the PB voting lead at outside linebacker with T.J. Watt — pretty fabulous company.
All Eyes Turn to New Injury for Vikings
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 MIN 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.
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