Nov 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Minnesota Vikings tackle Brian O'Neill (75) congratulates Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) for scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports.
Pro Football Focus compiled a list of the five most valuable NFL players at each position this week. The Vikings have two MVPs, according to PFF, as we approach the halfway point of the season. PFF came up with lists for 12 different position groups across offense and defense.
PFF stated the importance of using meaningful data, including advanced stats, PFF grades, and other advanced metrics, to develop their MVPs.
They then created their own (WAR) metric to find their MVPs. Below is the explanation of the metric from the PFF article;
Wins Above Replacement (WAR) is one of the most valuable metrics in sports, which is why our team of data scientists developed PFF’s own WAR model. This model evaluates how well a player performed, assesses his actions and their importance to winning football games, and tracks how often those actions occurred.
Using this intricate formula, we’ve calculated each NFL player’s value relative to a replacement-level player.
There are no prizes for guessing the first player named as an MVP. Of course, Justin Jefferson is named as one of the five wide receivers, along with Nico Collins, Ja’Marr Chase, Garrett Wilson, and Chris Godwin. It doesn’t feel like Jefferson has been especially explorative to start this season, but he has an over grade of 85.5, which is fourth among WRs while racking up 646 receiving yards (second among WRs) and five touchdowns (third among WRs) with his bye week already behind him. Without Jefferson’s name, any list of top five WRs wouldn’t be complete.
The other man PFF selected was right tackle Brian O’Neill – a nod of appreciation for a man who might just be having the best season of his career. O’Neill is joined by Zach Tom, Peneii Sewell, Terron Armstead, Laremy Tunsil, and Trent Williams. With an overall grade of 81.1, O’Neill ranks 11th among tackles across the league, and the Vikings’ right tackle has only allowed one sack so far this season. O’Neill has allowed nine pressures but no quarterback hits, along with a couple of penalties, which isn’t too bad for a team with a penalty pandemic.
There are a few Vikings who were omitted from the listings and who perhaps could have been there. Christian Darrisaw is the most obvious one, though I wasn’t sure if he was left out because of the season-ending injury he suffered in the Vikings’ last game. However, other injured players have made it in. Talent and performance-wise, the Vikings’ left tackle deserved to be there, and it is a surprise to see O’Neill named ahead of him.
Jonathan Greenard has been very good on the edge for Minnesota, but the edge rusher group — which was stretched out to eight players — is difficult to get into. Myles Garrett, Aidan Hutchinson, TJ Watt, and Max Crosby are the star players leading that group, including Keion White, Brian Burns, Josh Hines-Allen, and Jared Verse. Greenard has a 92.2 overall grade over the last two games, and if he can keep that level of performance up, he might be able to break into that elite group.
PFF had no time for special teams, which is a shame for Will Reichard. The Vikings rookie kicker has been perfect so far, making all 14 field goals he has attempted and all 20 extra points. These stats are worthy of the most valuable kicker recognition. Instead, Reichard will have to settle for the adulation of Vikings fans, who are excited by the prospect of finally having a reliable kicker on their team.