Minnesota Vikings vast receiver Justin Jefferson celebrates after scoring a first-half landing in opposition to the Washington Commanders at FedExField. The All-Professional receiver sparked Minnesota’s offense with one other signature play throughout a comeback victory on the street. Nov. 6, 2022. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Justin Jefferson — he was the one Minnesota Viking to search out some love on CBS Sports activities‘ annual Prime 100 gamers record this go-around. Los Angeles Rams Myles Garrett cross rusher led the way in which, with Matthew Stafford curiously outranking Josh Allen, however after that, Jefferson alone represented Minnesota.
The Vikings often have at the least two gamers on the record; 2026 is a unique story.
Vikings’ Star Energy Seems Thinner than Anticipated in June
Minnesota Vikings vast receiver Justin Jefferson seems to be on earlier than a house recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. The All-Professional cross catcher entered the matchup because the centerpiece of Minnesota’s offense and one of many NFL’s most harmful receiving threats. Sept. 24, 2023. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Jefferson at No. 8
Forward of Puka Nacua (Los Angeles Rams, WR) and Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens, QB), Jefferson checked in at No. 8, with Pete Prisco explaining, “He was hurt by poor quarterback play last year, but he remains the most talented receiver in the game.”
“He had 84 catches and only two touchdowns last season. Kyler Murray should help his numbers this year. (Last season: No. 5)”
Penei Sewell (Detroit Lions, OT) and Patrick Mahomes (Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, QB) have been ranked forward of Jefferson at No. 6 and seven, respectively.
Prisco clarified about his standards, “Quarterbacks are by far the most valuable players in football, especially in the NFL. If you picked a list of team MVPs, it would almost certainly be filled with starting quarterbacks. But that doesn’t mean they are always the best players, although many are that and more.”
“So when putting together my list of the top 100 players in the league, it would be easy to put a quarterback at the top. But that’s not the case this year, although several are in the top 10 and scattered throughout the list.”
Love for Jefferson Regardless of Quiet 12 months by His Requirements
Jefferson’s 2025 season wants some context. The Vikings’ passing recreation was a multitude, biking by way of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer. This inconsistency crippled their aerial assault, disrupting timing and forcing receivers to adapt to inaccurate throws and stalled drives. Regardless of these challenges, Jefferson nonetheless managed 84 catches, 1,048 yards, and a pair of touchdowns, a testomony to his expertise, not an indication of decline or tarnish.
And the lofty expectations stem from his extraordinary previous efficiency. In 2022, with Kirk Cousins at quarterback, Jefferson amassed over 1,800 yards, earned Offensive Participant of the 12 months, and completed fifth in MVP voting. That distinctive participant hasn’t vanished; as an alternative, they have been positioned in a manufacturing backseat due to Minnesota’s offensive woes a 12 months in the past.
Turning simply 27 this summer time, Jefferson stays firmly in his prime. With a good quarterback, a 1,500-yard season is undoubtedly inside attain. The Vikings’ chaotic passing recreation hindered Jefferson’s manufacturing, and he paid the worth.
Snubs on Offense
Whereas the next three males didn’t deserve obligatory inclusion on Prisco’s record, they have been assuredly thought of throughout compilation:
Jordan Addison (WR)
Christian Darrisaw (LT)
Brian O’Neill (RT)
Addison hasn’t but topped 1,000 yards in a single season, and he, like Jefferson, struggled a bit in 2025 because of Minnesota’s shoddy quarterbacking. There’s a world the place he’ll be thought of a Prime 100 participant at the moment subsequent 12 months if the aforementioned Murray unlocks his ability set to the fullest.
Minnesota Vikings offensive deal with Brian O’Neill warms up earlier than a regular-season finale in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. The veteran lineman continued serving as a cornerstone of Minnesota’s offensive line whereas making ready for one more divisional showdown. Jan. 4, 2026. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Blewett-Imagn Pictures.
Darrisaw didn’t play a full season in 2025, nursing an ACL restoration that dates again to October 2024. It’s truthful to depart Darrisaw off the Prime 100 this time due to his shortened 2025 marketing campaign, however general, he’s a Prime 100 participant within the NFL.
So is O’Neill. If Prisco wholly snubbed anybody, it was O’Neill. The person by no means posts unhealthy seasons, and in the event you polled gamers and coaches, O’Neill would in all probability make the reduce within the Prime 100. He’s additionally due for a contract extension this summer time that may probably connect him to the Vikings for a number of extra years.
Snubs on Protection
Just like the offense, three Vikings defensive gamers had an affordable declare to Prisco’s record:
Blake Cashman (LB)
Jalen Redmond (DT)
Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB)
Admittedly, Cashman could be an extended shot for the Prime 100; he doesn’t fairly get nationwide recognition and misses about 4 video games yearly.
Minnesota Vikings outdoors linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning throughout first-half motion at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Van Ginkel continued making disruptive performs for Brian Flores’ protection with one other stress in opposition to an opposing quarterback. Sept. 21, 2025. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Pictures.
Redmond, although, has posted back-to-back improbable seasons. As a consequence of his humble background — rising to energy within the UFL — the league and its followers simply don’t actually learn about him but. Pound for pound, after Minnesota traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles in April, Redmond is perhaps the membership’s greatest defensive participant.
Concerning identify recognition, and much like O’Neill on offense, Van Ginkel is arguably the highest snub on protection. Van Ginkel is flexible and productive; a lot of the league is aware of about him by now.
These former Vikings made the reduce for Prisco:
Different Prime 100 lists will flow into on-line later this summer time. Maybe the Vikings can be represented by multiple participant.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
