The Viking Age
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Surprise featured atop list of the Minnesota Vikings’ most important players

By Adam Patrick

Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sports Illustrated recently released their list of the Minnesota Vikings’ ten most important players on their roster heading into the 2017 season.

Throughout the Minnesota Vikings’ 2016 season, the team was without a multitude of players in the lineup due to injury. Some absences were more impactful than others, but all contributed to the Vikings’ struggles last year.

Recently, Sports Illustrated ranked the 10 most important players on every team’s 2017 roster that plays in the NFC North division. The purpose being an attempt to list which players could affect their team’s chances this year if they were unable to play at any point during the season.

For Minnesota, a few spots on the list were taken up by some players who have yet to even play a regular season game for the team.

"1. T Riley Reiff2. S Harrison SmithT-3. T Mike RemmersT-3. WR Stefon Diggs5. LB Anthony Barr6. DE Everson GriffenT-7. CB Xavier RhodesT-7. RB Latavius Murray9. G Alex BooneT-10. RB Dalvin CookT-10. NT Linval Joseph"

The list was compiled with votes from five of Sports Illustrated’s writers and quarterbacks were not allowed to be included since that position’s importance is apparently too obvious.

It is a little surprising that two of the Vikings’ top three players are still waiting to play their very first game with the team. But after last season’s offensive line catastrophe, it is hard to blame the team’s two new tackles for being ranked so high.

Speaking of a high ranking, pretty sure a greater impact would be felt if Minnesota had to take the field without Xavier Rhodes or Linval Joseph, rather than Stefon Diggs. Wide receiver depth on the Vikings’ roster seems to pretty deep heading into this season while there would be a big gaping hole in the middle of the team’s defensive line if Joseph were out of the lineup.

Next: Three Vikings posed for a breakout season in 2017

But then again, Mr. Diggs could develop into a pass-catching juggernaut this year too. That would not be the worst thing in the world to happen.

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