Oct 19, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon (31) runs the ball against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
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10. Josh Robinson
The most pleasant surprise of the year so far. Last year he was a towel soaked in gasoline being dangled over a fire-breathing dragon. This year he’s been actually good. For the most part.
9. Teddy Bridgewater
All things being equal, Bridgewater has done a good job. The stats don’t look pretty, especially all those picks, but the pass rush has been killing him. His work in crunch time against Tampa Bay was a preview. The kid has guts and he can deliver when it matters.
8. Linval Joseph
What he does for a team will never show up on the stats. If your defensive line is playing well, your nose tackle is playing well.
7. Blair Walsh
He’s missed a couple, though. I still think he’s money when it counts. Gulp.
6. Tom Johnson
Legal situations aside, has been a very nice addition to the team. The interior of the defensive line is where the Vikings have really improved this year. This should not be a shock when you consider what Zimmer put together in Cincinnati with Geno Atkins and company.
5. Sharrif Floyd
It may seem premature to catapult him this high off one really great game, considering that before this week he was largely nondescript, but I really think it’s coming together for Floyd. Now. Finally.
4. Jerick McKinnon
The Vikings have a dynamic trio of rookies. McKinnon still struggles in pass protection but he’s been good everywhere else. Right now, he’s the Vikings best home run threat.
3. Anthony Barr
Gets pantsed in coverage still, which he acknowledges, but also makes raw athletic plays that almost no one else can make. And he basically has no clue what he’s doing out there yet. Think about that.
2. Harrison Smith
He’s been quiet the last couple weeks, but sometimes quiet is good. Picks tend to come in bunches for safeties. He’s still out there doing what he does, being where he’s supposed to be, making the tackles he’s supposed to make. The D-line has been so good the last couple weeks, they haven’t needed his blitzes. They’ll need him more later and he’ll be ready.
1. Everson Griffen
He’s honestly been better than I expected. Okay, you would like more impact plays in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. But that’s a quibble. He’s up there in all the pass rush stats among the top edge rushers. What more do you want? He’s erased the calf-roping guy from our minds.