Two more Minnesota Vikings added to ESPN #NFLRank top 100

Two Minnesota Vikings players have joined Anthony Barr as part of the #NFLRank top 100 of 2016 countdown from ESPN since #1-50 were revealed today.

Yesterday, ESPN debuted their first half of the top 100 players of 2016 in their #NFLRank countdown. While the Minnesota Vikings weren’t represented very well in that part of the list, with only Anthony Barr landing in the #100 to #1 range.

Related Story: Anthony Barr makes ESPN #NFLRank list

Now, ESPN has finished off their list and two more Minnesota Vikings players have joined Barr in the top 100. Surprisingly, they may not be the ones that fans would likely expect to be included.

At #41, it appears as though the rest of the NFL and the media are starting to notice that Harrison Smith is one heck of a good player, as he received an average score of 86 out of 100 from participating contributors. Here is what Ben Goessling said about Smith:

"“Smith briefly became the league’s highest-paid safety this summer, though his profile might still not be as high around the league as it is with his Vikings teammates. “I think people should know enough about him right now,” quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said. “I feel like he’s one of the most underrated players in this league. I get to compete against him every day. He’s out there doing some things that just make you say, ‘Wow.'” Smith, who made his first Pro Bowl last season, tied for third in the league with five interceptions in 2014.”"

With only one spot left on the list, there are a lot of great candidates from the Minnesota Vikings to be the last player from the franchise on the countdown. There are several players who could have been included, like defensive tackle Linval Joseph or defensive end Everson Griffen. Instead, it is the somewhat obvious choice at #12 with an average rating of 92.6.

"“Last season, Peterson became the first 30-something running back in 11 years to lead the NFL in rushing, and he needs only 1,065 yards this season to move into seventh place on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. Another rushing title would be Peterson’s fourth, and would tie him for the second-most in league history.”"

Next: Vikings game-by-game 2016 season preview

Congratulations to Harrison Smith and Adrian Peterson for joining Anthony Barr on the #NFLRank top 100 players list from ESPN. While having three players on the list is okay, there could be even more if players like Joseph and Griffen have solid seasons and make their way into the countdown next year.