Only 3 Vikings Make Pete Prisco's 2023 List of NFL's Top 100 Players

Just two years ago, the Vikings had six players in the annual top 100 list put together by CBS Sports' Pete Prisco. In 2023, for the second straight year, they have just three players represented on the list.

That probably shouldn't be surprising this time around, given all the veteran talent the Vikings have moved on from this offseason. They've made tough decisions with an eye on building a sustainable contender — while still planning on winning in the meantime.

Here are the three Vikings who made Prisco's ranking, plus some notes on ex-Vikings and a couple arguable snubs.

Justin Jefferson: No. 7

He led the NFL in catches (128) and yards (1,809), while also leading in receptions of 20 or more yards (28). He is the league's best receiver heading into next season.

This one is pretty straightforward. Jefferson is clearly a top-ten player in the NFL and deserves to be the highest-ranked wide receiver after his OPOY season. Can he crack the top five next year?

Christian Darrisaw: No. 56

In his second season, he developed into a good pass protector who is on his way to being one of the best in the league. Getting his body in shape allowed him to take his game to the next level.

Prisco has Darrisaw ranked as the seventh-best OT in the league. That's low, considering PFF graded him behind only Trent Williams among all tackles last year. Darrisaw broke out and was absolutely dominant in his second season. I get it, it was just one season, but I'd say it's a pretty safe bet that Darrisaw will be higher in next year's edition if he stays healthy in 2023.

Harrison Smith: No. 97

The Vikings miscast him last season, playing him mostly in the deep middle, but he should be rejuvenated in the new defense under Brian Flores.

Shockingly, it's Smith and not Danielle Hunter as the Vikings' third player in this top 100. Prisco makes a fair point about the 34-year-old safety and how he was used under Ed Donatell vs. how he'll be used by Brian Flores, but it's still surprising to see him here once again. Smith tied his career high with five interceptions last season but earned the lowest full-season PFF grade of his career (69.1).

Snubs?

Hunter and Kirk Cousins were listed as honorable mentions. Hunter feels like a pretty wild snub after recording 10.5 sacks and 70 pressures last season. It's unclear if he'll remain with the Vikings this season, but he's a top-100 player when healthy.

It's hard to call any other Vikings snubs, but the four players who probably have the best chance to make next year's list are T.J. Hockenson, Brian O'Neill, Byron Murphy Jr., and Marcus Davenport.

Former Vikings

Bills WR Stefon Diggs: No. 20
Steelers CB Patrick Peterson: No. 92
Free agent RB Dalvin Cook: No. 94

History

Vikings players in Prisco's top 100 over the last eight years:

2016: 4
2017: 2
2018: 4
2019: 3
2020: 5
2021: 6
2022: 3
2023: 3

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