OLB Andrew Van Ginkel makes it official and becomes a Minnesota Viking on March 15th, 2024, in Eagan, Minnesota. Van Ginkel spent the 2019-2022 seasons with the Miami Dolphins and joined Minnesota via free agency in 2024. He grew up cheering for the Vikings.
The Minnesota Vikings hope to continue their undefeated season, squaring off against the Houston Texans on Sunday. Houston is favored to prevail by two points.
So far, the Vikings have defeated the New York Giants by 22 points and upset the San Francisco 49ers 23-17. Minnesota football is humming.
And to sponsor the early-season prosperity, these are the Vikings’ five best players through two games, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = best player). The rankings balance Pro Football Focus grades, team impact, and volume statistics.
PFF Grade thru 2 Games: 83.1
Smith has logged 12 tackles in two games, an interception, and a sweet 37.3 passer-rating-against. He doesn’t play like a 35-year-old — at all.
At least for two games, Smith has turned back the clock, playing the 2017 version of himself. The guy is locked in. He shouldn’t be this effective at age 35, especially a notoriously hard-hitting one.
PFF Grade thru 2 Games: 82.3
Darnold ranks fifth in the NFL per quarterback EPA+CPOE, a standing few saw coming. His next several games will be about sustainability, but it’s so far, so good for Darnold.
He’s on pace for 4,000+ passing yards and 34 touchdowns. That’s a Kirk Cousins season and then some.
It’s also worth noting that Darnold’s two-game success doesn’t feel accidental.
PFF Grade thru 2 Games: 83.2
A beacon of consistency, Darrisaw has started the 2024 campaign where the 2023 left out — elite performance.
Darrisaw signed a contract extension this summer, connecting him to the Vikings’ roster through the end of 2029, if that can be believed. He’s the last man standing on the current salary cap ledger. He’s also the NFL’s sixth-best offensive tackle through two weeks, per PFF.
PFF Grade thru 2 Games: 82.7
This guy is in the mix on every defensive play. Van Ginkel is just always in the middle of things. What a free-agent signing at a bargain price of $10 million per season.
Onlookers know purple operations are going well when Dallas Turner, the team’s 1st-Round rookie pass rusher, will miss Week 3, and the feeling is, “Oh, well. We’ve got Van Ginkel.”
The former Dolphin is an utter ball-hawk and deserves his flowers.
PFF Grade thru 2 Games: 77.0
Jefferson is on pace for 1,627 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, carrying the Vikings in Weeks 1 and 2 with Jordan Addison missing most of both games.
The guy virtually never struggles, and his 97-yard touchdown reception — the second-longest score in the history of the Vikings’ offense — totally set the tone for the win over San Francisco.
Other players have better PFF marks than Jefferson, but he remains the Vikings’ top dog. Undeniably.
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.