PFF ranks Vikings DT Linval Joseph as 55th best player from 2017
By Adam Carlson
Linval Joseph may be a ‘Big Goon’ but the Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle was included on a list by Pro Football Focus of the 101 best players from 2017.
The Minnesota Vikings signing defensive tackle Linval Joseph in free agency leading up to the 2014 NFL season was one of the most important transactions the franchise made to ensure a bright future.
After showing plenty of toughness and heart in his first four years with the New York Giants, Joseph brought his big frame and hunger for the game to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, where he swallows up the opposition on a regular basis.
The consistency and reliability of Joseph have made him a cornerstone of the Vikings defense, and Pro Football Focus confirmed his high level of play by revealing him to be their 55th best player of 2017 according to a recently released list.
More from The Viking Age
- 6 biggest draft steals in Minnesota Vikings history
- Former Vikings first-round pick could reportedly return to NFC North
- Bears analyst has extremely embarrassing Kirk Cousins take
- 6 Vikings who (maybe) won’t make the 53-man roster in 2023
- Predicting what the Vikings will do in the 2023 NFL Draft based on 2022
Joseph earned a high grade from PFF last year, but it remained near his three-year average to show his reliability.
"“Linval Joseph backed up his impressive 2016 campaign with another strong season. He ended 2017 with an overall PFF grade of 88.7, giving him an average of 88.1 over the last three seasons.”"
Statistically, a defensive tackle can be dominant without having much of a stat column at all. Whether it is offenses running away from certain players, double-teaming them, or scheming against them, it can be difficult to judge them unless a team dares to attack them head-on. And some teams are still foolish enough to issue that challenge to Linval.
"“Joseph had 35 defensive stops, tied for sixth-most among all interior defenders and had 30 total pressures over the regular season.”"
PFF also listed their “Elite Stat” for him as having a 10.7 run stop percentage, ranking him sixth in the NFL.
Next: PFF ranks Everson Griffen 51st best NFL player of 2017
Congratulations to Linval Joseph for being part of the top 101 players of 2017 by Pro Football Focus. The best news is that the Minnesota Vikings have the big defensive tackle under contract through the 2022 NFL season.