The Top 20 2022 Minnesota Vikings

[StumpHunter]

Cook should not be on the list because he can not stay healthy

He got a bad wrap after his rookie season but since then his durability has been fantastic for a RB. #3 behind only Zeke and Henry in rushing attempts since 2018 and is one of only 5 RBs with over 800 attempts at 944.

Eventually he will show his age and those hits will take a toll, but until then he is one of the 3 most important players on the team.

[StumpHunter]

1a.) WR- Justin Jefferson- Tough decided between Jefferson and Hunter but they are easily our top 2 IMO
1b.) EDGE- Danielle Hunter- refer to above
3.) RB- Dalvin Cook- Top 3 RB in the league and deserves to be high on the list
4.) RT- Brian O'Neill- Top 5 RT in the NFL IMO and has been solid since day 1
5.) S- Harrison Smith- Couldnt leave Harry out of the top 5. Age is a factor, but he's such a smart and heady player
6.) QB- Kirk Cousins- some may like it, some may not. I dont really care lol.
7.) WR- Adam Thielen- Getting up in age but still so reliable and will beat you with heart and hustle
8.) EDGE- Za'Darius Smith- Going off his 2020, he definitely deserves to be in the top 10 and I think he will thrive here.
9.) LB- Eric Kendricks- went a little "downhill" last year but I'll bank on his talent over 1 bad year (for him that is)
10.) LT- Christian Darrisaw- Really turned into a stud in the last half of the year. Can see him moving up after this year.
11.) CB- Cam Dantzler- some may think this is high, but when he played last year he was a sneaky good.
12.) CB- Patrick Peterson- not what he once was but solid in every aspect and a great leader.
13.) TE- Irv Smith Jr.- was stuck behind Rudy and then his first chance he got he was injured. That changes this year
14.) LB- Jordan Hicks- just a solid durable linebacker that's a tackling machine and will fit well with EK
15.) DT- Dalvin Tomlinson- was a very solid player for us last year and solid in every system he's been in
16.) DT- Harrison Phillips- will go hand in hand with Tomlinson and I believe they will make a good tandem
17.) WR- KJ Osborn- as solid of a #3 as you could ask for. I think he will see even more looks in this new offense.
18.) LG- Ezra Cleveland- very underrated player IMO, not great but far from horrible. Just a steady guard.
19.) S- Lewis Cine- it's early but believe he will quickly fly up this list and is really going to be a key player on this team.
20.) EDGE- DJ Wonnum- was "meh" on him for a while but started to come on recently and think he will have a solid role

Honorable mention: CB- Andrew Booth, RB- Alexander Mattison, G/C- Chris Reed, S- Cam Bynum

Side note: I dont expect you guys to put write ups with your players. I just added that in.

Realistically with 22 starters, I would think every starter but two, Bradbury and whoever starts at RG, would be in the top 20 of everyone's list, since those are the perceived weaknesses on the team.

A guy who should be replacing 2nd or 3rd string Wonnum at 20 is Watts who was the superior pass rusher and defender against the run than Wonnum last season and who is a guy who actually has a chance to start and contribute. Not sure where Wonnum fits in with his inability to beat blockers to get after the QB and with how awful he is against the run.

[IIsweet]

1a.) WR- Justin Jefferson- Tough decided between Jefferson and Hunter but they are easily our top 2 IMO
1b.) EDGE- Danielle Hunter- refer to above
3.) RB- Dalvin Cook- Top 3 RB in the league and deserves to be high on the list
4.) RT- Brian O'Neill- Top 5 RT in the NFL IMO and has been solid since day 1
5.) S- Harrison Smith- Couldnt leave Harry out of the top 5. Age is a factor, but he's such a smart and heady player
6.) QB- Kirk Cousins- some may like it, some may not. I dont really care lol.
7.) WR- Adam Thielen- Getting up in age but still so reliable and will beat you with heart and hustle
8.) EDGE- Za'Darius Smith- Going off his 2020, he definitely deserves to be in the top 10 and I think he will thrive here.
9.) LB- Eric Kendricks- went a little "downhill" last year but I'll bank on his talent over 1 bad year (for him that is)
10.) LT- Christian Darrisaw- Really turned into a stud in the last half of the year. Can see him moving up after this year.
11.) CB- Cam Dantzler- some may think this is high, but when he played last year he was a sneaky good.
12.) CB- Patrick Peterson- not what he once was but solid in every aspect and a great leader.
13.) TE- Irv Smith Jr.- was stuck behind Rudy and then his first chance he got he was injured. That changes this year
14.) LB- Jordan Hicks- just a solid durable linebacker that's a tackling machine and will fit well with EK
15.) DT- Dalvin Tomlinson- was a very solid player for us last year and solid in every system he's been in
16.) DT- Harrison Phillips- will go hand in hand with Tomlinson and I believe they will make a good tandem
17.) WR- KJ Osborn- as solid of a #3 as you could ask for. I think he will see even more looks in this new offense.
18.) LG- Ezra Cleveland- very underrated player IMO, not great but far from horrible. Just a steady guard.
19.) S- Lewis Cine- it's early but believe he will quickly fly up this list and is really going to be a key player on this team.
20.) EDGE- DJ Wonnum- was "meh" on him for a while but started to come on recently and think he will have a solid role

Honorable mention: CB- Andrew Booth, RB- Alexander Mattison, G/C- Chris Reed, S- Cam Bynum

Side note: I dont expect you guys to put write ups with your players. I just added that in.

Realistically with 22 starters, I would think every starter but two, Bradbury and whoever starts at RG, would be in the top 20 of everyone's list, since those are the perceived weaknesses on the team.

A guy who should be replacing 2nd or 3rd string Wonnum at 20 is Watts who was the superior pass rusher and defender against the run than Wonnum last season and who is a guy who actually has a chance to start and contribute. Not sure where Wonnum fits in with his inability to beat blockers to get after the QB and with how awful he is against the run.

I have a different player at 20.
RB/KR Kene Nwangwu. The kid is an electric returner. Would love to see him with the ball in his hands more.

[VikingsVictorious]

Realistically with 22 starters, I would think every starter but two, Bradbury and whoever starts at RG, would be in the top 20 of everyone's list, since those are the perceived weaknesses on the team.

A guy who should be replacing 2nd or 3rd string Wonnum at 20 is Watts who was the superior pass rusher and defender against the run than Wonnum last season and who is a guy who actually has a chance to start and contribute. Not sure where Wonnum fits in with his inability to beat blockers to get after the QB and with how awful he is against the run.

I have a different player at 20.
RB/KR Kene Nwangwu. The kid is an electric returner. Would love to see him with the ball in his hands more.

Interesting choice of Kene. Unless he returns at a ridiculously high level it's tough to justify him top 20 as the #3 or IMO more likely #4 RB.

[JJBreaksRecords]

I have a different player at 20.
RB/KR Kene Nwangwu. The kid is an electric returner. Would love to see him with the ball in his hands more.

Interesting choice of Kene. Unless he returns at a ridiculously high level it's tough to justify him top 20 as the #3 or IMO more likely #4 RB.

I am getting tired of Mattison, but Kene isnt the answer. I would rather we keep Rose if they were going in that direction of RB's. I dont think we will ever see a RB like Cook again. I think KAM and KOC know the value of RBs in todays NFL. We should have drafted a RB in the 5th round. There were a few bruisers out there yet.

[IIsweet]

I put him at 20 because he has game changing ability. He is not the best nor probably the 2 or maybe even #3 rb, but at KR, he could be top 5 in NFL this year. He is a player that can have a major impact on the game.
Also, he played behind Breece Hall, who was an elite college RB, if not the absolute best the past couple years.
Nwangwu has untapped potential

[CharVike]

I put him at 20 because he has game changing ability. He is not the best nor probably the 2 or maybe even #3 rb, but at KR, he could be top 5 in NFL this year. He is a player that can have a major impact on the game.
Also, he played behind Breece Hall, who was an elite college RB, if not the absolute best the past couple years.
Nwangwu has untapped potential

I agree with you. If I was making the list he would be on it. ST never get much consideration but it's an important piece. Our contributed heavily in two loses, Rams / Cards, when they broke down. Returning 2 KOs for TDs in a season doesn't happen much. Particularly when it doesn't seem many KOs are returned anymore. At least he might split a seam and take off for some yardage. He could do the same as a check down instead of using Ham who will getting nothing unless he's completely ignored.

[VikingsVictorious]

I put him at 20 because he has game changing ability. He is not the best nor probably the 2 or maybe even #3 rb, but at KR, he could be top 5 in NFL this year. He is a player that can have a major impact on the game.
Also, he played behind Breece Hall, who was an elite college RB, if not the absolute best the past couple years.
Nwangwu has untapped potential

Is Mattison in your top 20? I like Kene, but he will not have as much impact as Mattison.

[StumpHunter]

I put him at 20 because he has game changing ability. He is not the best nor probably the 2 or maybe even #3 rb, but at KR, he could be top 5 in NFL this year. He is a player that can have a major impact on the game.
Also, he played behind Breece Hall, who was an elite college RB, if not the absolute best the past couple years.
Nwangwu has untapped potential

Is Mattison in your top 20? I like Kene, but he will not have as much impact as Mattison.

The guy averaged less than 4 ypc last season. It won't be tough to surpass Mattison.

[CharVike]

Interesting choice of Kene. Unless he returns at a ridiculously high level it's tough to justify him top 20 as the #3 or IMO more likely #4 RB.

I am getting tired of Mattison, but Kene isnt the answer. I would rather we keep Rose if they were going in that direction of RB's. I dont think we will ever see a RB like Cook again. I think KAM and KOC know the value of RBs in todays NFL. We should have drafted a RB in the 5th round. There were a few bruisers out there yet.

Rose has been waived. Mattison has 3 games with over 100 yards rushing as a fill in. This is the last year of his rookie deal and will be a FA next year. This is his swan song season with us unless 5th rounder Ty Chandler beats him out in camp.

[VikingLord]

Not sure where Wonnum fits in with his inability to beat blockers to get after the QB and with how awful he is against the run.

Yeah, but he tests off the charts...

[VikingLord]

1a.) WR- Justin Jefferson- Tough decided between Jefferson and Hunter but they are easily our top 2 IMO
1b.) EDGE- Danielle Hunter- refer to above
3.) RB- Dalvin Cook- Top 3 RB in the league and deserves to be high on the list
4.) RT- Brian O'Neill- Top 5 RT in the NFL IMO and has been solid since day 1
5.) S- Harrison Smith- Couldnt leave Harry out of the top 5. Age is a factor, but he's such a smart and heady player
6.) QB- Kirk Cousins- some may like it, some may not. I dont really care lol.
7.) WR- Adam Thielen- Getting up in age but still so reliable and will beat you with heart and hustle
8.) EDGE- Za'Darius Smith- Going off his 2020, he definitely deserves to be in the top 10 and I think he will thrive here.
9.) LB- Eric Kendricks- went a little "downhill" last year but I'll bank on his talent over 1 bad year (for him that is)
10.) LT- Christian Darrisaw- Really turned into a stud in the last half of the year. Can see him moving up after this year.
11.) CB- Cam Dantzler- some may think this is high, but when he played last year he was a sneaky good.
12.) CB- Patrick Peterson- not what he once was but solid in every aspect and a great leader.
13.) TE- Irv Smith Jr.- was stuck behind Rudy and then his first chance he got he was injured. That changes this year
14.) LB- Jordan Hicks- just a solid durable linebacker that's a tackling machine and will fit well with EK
15.) DT- Dalvin Tomlinson- was a very solid player for us last year and solid in every system he's been in
16.) DT- Harrison Phillips- will go hand in hand with Tomlinson and I believe they will make a good tandem
17.) WR- KJ Osborn- as solid of a #3 as you could ask for. I think he will see even more looks in this new offense.
18.) LG- Ezra Cleveland- very underrated player IMO, not great but far from horrible. Just a steady guard.
19.) S- Lewis Cine- it's early but believe he will quickly fly up this list and is really going to be a key player on this team.
20.) EDGE- DJ Wonnum- was "meh" on him for a while but started to come on recently and think he will have a solid role

Would it be fair to say that for any team that is considered a Superbowl contender, the QB would be first on that team's list?

That is an honest question and not a criticism of your list.

Also, I wonder if this list would be different if "player reliability" were somehow factored in. In other words, there is a pure talent ranking, and then something like a "practical impact" ranking that factors in all the games missed due to injuries over that player's career to arrive at an "effective ranking".

[VikingsVictorious]

1a.) WR- Justin Jefferson- Tough decided between Jefferson and Hunter but they are easily our top 2 IMO
1b.) EDGE- Danielle Hunter- refer to above
3.) RB- Dalvin Cook- Top 3 RB in the league and deserves to be high on the list
4.) RT- Brian O'Neill- Top 5 RT in the NFL IMO and has been solid since day 1
5.) S- Harrison Smith- Couldnt leave Harry out of the top 5. Age is a factor, but he's such a smart and heady player
6.) QB- Kirk Cousins- some may like it, some may not. I dont really care lol.
7.) WR- Adam Thielen- Getting up in age but still so reliable and will beat you with heart and hustle
8.) EDGE- Za'Darius Smith- Going off his 2020, he definitely deserves to be in the top 10 and I think he will thrive here.
9.) LB- Eric Kendricks- went a little "downhill" last year but I'll bank on his talent over 1 bad year (for him that is)
10.) LT- Christian Darrisaw- Really turned into a stud in the last half of the year. Can see him moving up after this year.
11.) CB- Cam Dantzler- some may think this is high, but when he played last year he was a sneaky good.
12.) CB- Patrick Peterson- not what he once was but solid in every aspect and a great leader.
13.) TE- Irv Smith Jr.- was stuck behind Rudy and then his first chance he got he was injured. That changes this year
14.) LB- Jordan Hicks- just a solid durable linebacker that's a tackling machine and will fit well with EK
15.) DT- Dalvin Tomlinson- was a very solid player for us last year and solid in every system he's been in
16.) DT- Harrison Phillips- will go hand in hand with Tomlinson and I believe they will make a good tandem
17.) WR- KJ Osborn- as solid of a #3 as you could ask for. I think he will see even more looks in this new offense.
18.) LG- Ezra Cleveland- very underrated player IMO, not great but far from horrible. Just a steady guard.
19.) S- Lewis Cine- it's early but believe he will quickly fly up this list and is really going to be a key player on this team.
20.) EDGE- DJ Wonnum- was "meh" on him for a while but started to come on recently and think he will have a solid role

Would it be fair to say that for any team that is considered a Superbowl contender, the QB would be first on that team's list?

That is an honest question and not a criticism of your list.

Also, I wonder if this list would be different if "player reliability" were somehow factored in. In other words, there is a pure talent ranking, and then something like a "practical impact" ranking that factors in all the games missed due to injuries over that player's career to arrive at an "effective ranking".

I would consider the Rams to be Super Bowl contenders. Stafford is a good QB, but he certainly wouldn't top their list. I think people are taking reliability into consideration. With the possible exception of Hunter .Dalvin is pretty reliable when it comes to RBs.

[IIsweet]

I put him at 20 because he has game changing ability. He is not the best nor probably the 2 or maybe even #3 rb, but at KR, he could be top 5 in NFL this year. He is a player that can have a major impact on the game.
Also, he played behind Breece Hall, who was an elite college RB, if not the absolute best the past couple years.
Nwangwu has untapped potential

Is Mattison in your top 20? I like Kene, but he will not have as much impact as Mattison.

No. He is not an impact player imo. Kene definitely is when the other team kicks off. We hopefully do not see it very often, but when we do, you will see his value surpasses what Mattison brings, again imo... Nwangwu has the ability to flip a field every time he touches the ball as a KR.
Playing for Zimmer as a rookie last year meant that he did not get opportunities. He has 13 carries for 61 yards. To me, I would want to see more of the explosiveness.
Hence why MZ is no longer the HC.

[VikingsVictorious]

Is Mattison in your top 20? I like Kene, but he will not have as much impact as Mattison.

No. He is not an impact player imo. Kene definitely is when the other team kicks off. We hopefully do not see it very often, but when we do, you will see his value surpasses what Mattison brings, again imo... Nwangwu has the ability to flip a field every time he touches the ball as a KR.
Playing for Zimmer as a rookie last year meant that he did not get opportunities. He has 13 carries for 61 yards. To me, I would want to see more of the explosiveness.
Hence why MZ is no longer the HC.

We greatly disagree on this. Mattison to me is about 4 times as impactful for the Vikings as Kene is.