Justin Jefferson leads list of Minnesota Vikings ranked on Pete Prisco's 2024 Top 100
MINNEAPOLIS — CBS Sports' Pete Prisco has released his annual list of the 100 best players in the NFL, and a handful of current and former Minnesota Vikings made the list.
Prisco's top-ranked Viking won't surprise anyone, though his placement after an injury-shortened season may. The Vikings lost a pair of players who made the list, while adding one of Prisco's honorable mentions in free agency.
Read on for the full breakdown of Prisco's picks.
No. 7: Justin Jefferson
Despite missing seven games last season due to injury, Jefferson holds on to the same spot he did on the 2023 version of Prisco's list. Jefferson topped 1,000 yards in only 10 games — a feat made even more impressive by the fact he totaled just 55 yards in the games immediately before and after his injury.
The 25-year-old superstar earned the largest non-quarterback contract in NFL history from the Vikings this offseason.
Jefferson is the second-ranked wide receiver on the list, behind Miami's Tyreek Hill at No. 4.
No. 35: Danielle Hunter
Hunter had a career year in Brian Flores' defense, notching 16.5 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss. Unfortunately, his stellar play put him out of the Vikings' price range in free agency. Hunter signed a deal with the Houston Texans, leaving a hole at pass rusher that Minnesota will try to fill with rookie Dallas Turner and free agent additions Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel.
No. 54: Christian Darrisaw
Darrisaw rises two spots from last year's list, with Prisco noting his pass protection remains outstanding, but his run blocking needs work. Darrisaw, 25, is likely the next Viking in line for an extension.
No. 67: T.J. Hockenson
Like Jefferson, Hockenson's season was hampered by injury. But he still caught 95 balls for 960 yards (a career high) and five touchdowns. He's likely to miss the start of next season while recovering from ACL surgery, but when he returns, the Vikings will boast one of the best pass catching corps in the league with Jefferson, Hockenson and Jordan Addison.
No. 98: Kirk Cousins
The Cousins era is over in Minnesota, but he went out playing some of his best ball. Before tearing his Achilles in week eight, Cousins had completed 69.5% of his passes for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. He's now with the Atlanta Falcons, who are hoping the injury and Cousins' age (35) don't lead to a decline in play. Here's a fun fact for you: The Falcons actually drafted a replacement for Cousins before the Vikings did. Atlanta drafted quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in April, while the Vikings took QB J.J. McCarthy at No. 10.
Honorable mention: Aaron Jones
Jones defected to the Vikings after the Green Bay Packers cut him this offseason. The 29-year-old running back may not be the player he once was, but he was outstanding during Green Bay's playoff run, totaling 226 rushing yards and three touchdowns across two games. He and third-year back Ty Chandler will form a potent one-two punch for Minnesota.