Beloved Vikings Defender Cracks NFL’s Top 100
NFL players haven’t been bashful recently about including Minnesota Vikings personalities in the annual “Top 100” countdown.
It’s official. Vikings OLB Andrew Van Ginkel just earned national recognition, landing on the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2025 list. It’s a sweet curveball.
The team’s primary running back got the call last week, and on Tuesday, outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel followed suit, checking in at No. 88.
The NFL Top 100 is voted on by players, so the recognition is especially special.
NFL Top 100 Includes Andrew Van Ginkel
Van Ginkel is the second Viking to be included so far.
Andrew Van Ginkel No. 88 on NFL Top 100
It’s official. Andrew Van Ginkel is one of the league’s best 100 players, according to his peers.
NFL.com’s Bobby Kownack noted Tuesday, “Reuniting with defensive coordinator Brian Flores, his former Dolphins head coach from 2019-2021, was well worth it. Van Ginkel helped transform Minnesota’s defense into a top-five unit. Beyond hitting double-digit sacks for the first time in his career, Van Ginkel was also superb as a cover man. He received an 81.0 PFF coverage grade, sixth among edge rushers, and was the only player in the NFL to nab multiple pick-sixes.”
“The Vikings know exactly what they have in him, too — they extended him through 2026 in April. NFL Pro Insight for Van Ginkel: Andrew Van Ginkel generated 50 pressures and recorded 28 run stops during the 2024 season, the third time in his career with 25-plus of each (2021, 2023, 2024).”
James Cook, the brother of former Vikings halfback Dalvin Cook, earned the No. 89 spot, one place below Van Ginkel.
The Respect He Deserves
This is Van Ginkel’s first token of respect in the NFL Top 100. He’s never made the cut in the past, even though he’s played 90 career games (59 starts) in six seasons.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed Van Ginkel in 2024 free agency to a team-friendly deal, and he exploded six months later. Van Ginkel rarely produced quiet games last season, showcasing his versatility and vitality every Sunday for the purple team.
Mainly because of his splashy pick-sixes, Van Ginkel rapidly became a fan favorite.
And now he’s one of the league’s top 100 players.
Aaron Jones Already at No. 98
Aaron Jones, the Vikings running back who defected from the Green Bay Packers 16 months ago, grabbed the No. 98 ranking on the same list.
Jones had been included before but was not a part of the pecking order last summer.
Therefore, with just 11 picks announced, 17% play for the purple team. Not bad.
Other Vikings on the Way
More players from Kevin O’Connell’s squad will be named in the coming days. Here’s a glimpse at who will or might be included in the final 87 announcements:
- Jonathan Greenard (OLB)
- Christian Darrisaw (LT)
- Justin Jefferson (WR)
- Brian O’Neill (RT)
PPTSD on Andrew Van Ginkel
Our own Brevan Bane wrote about Van Ginkel last month, “Andrew Van Ginkel didn’t just make memorable moments in 2024; oftentimes, he was the moment. The long, blonde-haired Midwesterner, hailing from Rock Valley, Iowa, by way of the Wisconsin Badger Football program, was an absolute force on the American football field for the Minnesota Vikings, racking up 11.5 sacks and 2 interceptions that he both returned for touchdowns.”
“You knew this guy was gonna bring the heat when one of those pick-sixes came in his very first game with the fellas in Minneapolis, when he absolutely baited Minnesota Vikings legend and at the time Giants QB Daniel Jones for a house call when the boys were already up 21-6.”
Minnesota rewarded Van Ginkel this offseason with an extension worth $23 million.
Bane added, “It’s not often a play gets me to stand up for my chair just because of how nasty it was, but that one definitely got me. Then there was the pick-six on Aaron Rodgers against the Jets in London. You wanna talk about bringing the electricity overseas? Great Britain hasn’t seen a display of American muscle like that since the Revolutionary War.”
“It just made it all the sweeter that it was on Aaron Rodgers, and seeing his already-droopy face droop even more was so awesome.”
Van Ginkel turned 30 last week.
Beloved Ex-Viking Wants Back In
You must be logged in to post a comment.