2 Vikings Included in PFN’s Top 100 Players of 2026
The Minnesota Vikings haven’t had much luck with individual rankings “lists” this summer, but Pro Football Network recently came along to change that just a bit. PFN annually ranks the Top 100 players in the NFL, following the lead of NFL.com, ESPN, CBS Sports, and others. For PFN, wide receiver Justin Jefferson and outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel got the nod.
Jefferson and Van Ginkel will headline their sides of the ball in September, and ranking them inside the Top 100 just makes sense.
Two Vikings Selections Reward Star Power on Both Sides of the Ball
PFN on Jefferson — No. 16
Jefferson checked in right behind Patrick Mahomes — good company — as Jason Katz scribed, “You know you’re on a Hall of Fame track when a 1,048-yard season is considered a down year for you. Such was the case with Justin Jefferson last year, who managed to crack the 1,000-yard mark for the sixth year in a row, in spite of the Vikings’ quarterback woes in 2025. He still has the most receiving yards of any NFL player through the first six seasons of their career.”
“Though Jefferson dropped to No. 38 in the PFN WR Impact Score rankings in 2025, he’s been a top-four finisher four times since joining Minnesota in 2020. We chalk the down year up to bad quarterbacking, as he’s proven he’s one of the best route runners, pure athletes, and ball-trackers in the entire league.”
Houston Texans outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr. found a home at No. 17 right beneath Jefferson.
Van Ginkel at No. 99
One spot for Dallas Cowboys guard/tackle Tyler Smith, who rounded out the Top 100, Van Ginkel wiggled onto the list.
Katz on Van Ginkel: “During his first five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Andrew Van Ginkel was a reliable, incredibly efficient rotational edge rusher.”
“Since signing with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, he’s blossomed into a star. He was a Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro in 2024 with 11.5 sacks, 18.0 tackles for loss, six pass deflections, and an NFL-high two interceptions returned for touchdowns.”
The 31-year-old missed five games last season due to a neck injury, but that did not deter PFN’s ranking process.
“Van Ginkel missed some time due to injury in 2025, which sees him drop slightly on this list. However, he still finished with 7.0 sacks in 12 games last year, and he broke up a career-high ten passes for the Vikings. If he can stay healthy this season, it’s a safe bet to assume he rises up these rankings in 2027,” Katz concluded.
Katz included 12 EDGE rushers on the list. Notably, former Vikings EDGE Jonathan Greenard did not make the cut.
Who’s Left Off?
Snubs? Minnesota perhaps could’ve had an extra name or two on the list, including these players:
- Jordan Addison (WR)
- Blake Cashman (LB)
- Christian Darrisaw (LT)
- Byron Murphy Jr. (CB)
- Brian O’Neill (RT)
- Jalen Redmond (DT)
That doesn’t mean all those players should’ve been included, but you get the point. It’s also worth noting that based on 2025 production alone — not career achievement — veteran linebacker Eric Wilson arguably produced at a Top 100 clip.
Katz did not include Kickers. If that were the case, Will Reichard would’ve had a strong claim.
Josh Allen as the Standard Bearer
The Bills quarterback took home the top prize, with Katz explaining, “Josh Allen has been a top-ten quarterback by PFN QB Impact Scoring every single year since 2020. He was the MVP in 2024, and he’s been a Pro Bowler in three of his last four seasons.”
“He ended 2025 with a career-high 69.3% completion percentage, and his 102.2 passer rating was an upgrade over his MVP season. In addition, his 25 passing touchdowns also ranked ninth in the NFL last year. Where Allen really dominated in 2025 was the ground game.”
Heading into 2026, Allen will be featured at the top of most individual player lists and is favored to win the MVP award (+600).
Katz added, “His elite athleticism can sometimes be overshadowed by his hulking frame and elite arm strength, but his dual-threat ability might be the best in the NFL after Jackson slowed down athletically last year.”
“Allen is at the peak of his game and is a bona fide game-changer, making him worthy of the top spot in the 2026 PFN NFL Top 100.”
Rounding out the Top 5 (in order) were Lamar Jackson (QB, BAL), Myles Garrett (OLB, LAR), Penei Sewell (OT, DET), and Puka Nacua (WR, LAR).
