First, It Was Aaron Jones. Now Who?
NFL Network began revealing its annual NFL Top 100 players list this week, a highlight of the summer between minicamps and training camps.
Aaron Jones got his flowers from the NFL Top 100 list — but will other Vikings follow? Here’s a peek at other possible candidates.
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones got the nod early, checking in at No. 98 and returning to the illustrious list after a year off.
Now, with over 90 spots to go, which other Vikings players might make the cut? Here’s the skinny.
After Aaron Jones, Who Might Make the Cut for the Vikings in the NFL Top 100?
These are the options for Minnesota in NFL Network‘s famous countdown.
Justin Jefferson
Jefferson is probably the only no-brainer for 2025 inclusion, fetching a rather low placement last year — No. 18 — because a hamstring injury rattled his 2023 campaign.
But Jefferson responded in 2024, playing all 17 games and delivering 103 receptions, 1,503 receiving yards, and tying a career high with 10 touchdowns. He helped Sam Darnold build a reclamation season and guide the purple team to an unexpected 14-3 record.
Jefferson should get Top 10 placement from his peers. Players had no problems giving wide receiver their flowers in 2024 — Tyreek Hill pulled down the No. 1 overall spot last July.
NFL.com’s Michael Baca wrote about Jefferson at No. 18 last summer, “Jefferson’s adverse 2023 campaign limited him to 10 games, explaining the fall from last year’s No. 2 overall ranking in the Top 100, but the 25-year-old still managed to maintain his historic pace, adding 1,074 yards to a career receiving total (5,899) that is the highest in league history through a player’s first four seasons, per NFL Research.”
“Jefferson’s acrobatics on the gridiron are a wonder, and his superb route-running allows him to create space which often leaves him wide open with plenty of room to gain more. His success in traffic might be his finest trait, however, generating incredible grabs that often come in crunch-time situations. The Vikings made Jefferson the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history this offseason as a result of the epic start to his NFL career, and rightfully so.”
Christian Darrisaw
This one is a bit controversial.
Fun fact — it’s not very fun — Darrisaw has never been included in NFL Network‘s Top 100 list. His peers have never voted him in, an odd development because the young offensive tackle is respected around the league.
Now, hoping to earn a spot this go-round, Darrisaw must battle an injury-prone reputation, missing 10 games last year due to a torn ACL he suffered in October in a game at the Los Angeles Rams.
But make no mistake, Darrisaw is a Top 5 OT when healthy. We shall see if he finally makes the cut this year.
Jonathan Greenard
Greenard likely will hear his name called on the list — probably soon. The list counts down to No. 1, and after a season when the ex-Houston Texan posted 80 pressures, 12 sacks, 59 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 pass deflections, the time is now for Greenard.
The 28-year-old earned his first Pro Bowl trip last season, so the time feels ripe for NFL Top 100 inclusion.
If not now for Greenard — when?
Brian O’Neill
Old faithful, O’Neill is as consistent as they come at right tackle. Here’s O’Neill’s resume from Pro Football Focus:
2024: 79.3
2023: 74.5
2022: 82.7
2021: 73.4
2020: 78.0
2019: 70.8
2018: 63.0
Like his teammate, Christian Darrisaw, the Top 100 list has never shone on O’Neill. If players vote for him this time, it will be his maiden voyage.
Honorable Mention Possibility: Andrew Van Ginkel
Van Ginkel, like his EDGE teammate Jonathan Greenard, made his first Pro Bowl last year. That might be enough to turn heads and grant Van Ginkel entry on the player-voted list.
He logged 11.5 sacks. 79 total tackles, 19 quarterback hits, 18 tackles for loss, and 2 touchdowns via interceptions last year. Van Ginkel also ranked 26th leaguewide with 49 quarterback pressures.
Van Ginkel, in theory, could slip in somewhere in the 75-100 range.
It’s also worth noting that CBS Sports published a Top 100 players list last month, and Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Brian O’Neill were snubbed. Only Jefferson and Darrisaw were recognized by Pete Prisco.
Prediction for the Vikings players in the NFL Top 100? Probably Jefferson and Greenard, in addition to Aaron Jones at No. 98.
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