With the first episode of the countdown set to air in a few weeks on NFL Network, which current Minnesota Vikings will make the 2019 version of the list?
Last year, the Minnesota Vikings had a total of seven players included in the NFL Network’s annual Top 100 Players countdown. For 2019, that number likely won’t be as high for the Vikings.
Everson Griffen, Adam Thielen, Harrison Smith, Stefon Diggs, Xavier Rhodes, Linval Joseph, and Kirk Cousins all made the list in 2018. It’s not hard to believe that at least half of these current Minnesota players won’t be included in this year’s ranking.
For the 2018 list, the Vikings were coming off a season that saw them make it all the way to the NFC Championship. For this year’s list, Minnesota’s players are being judged on their performance that didn’t produce a playoff appearance for the team last season.
Of the Vikings that were featured on the NFL Top 100 last year, Thielen, Smith, and Diggs probably have the best chance to be included in the 2019 version. Cousins, Rhodes, and Joseph have a decent shot at appearing on this year’s list, but it would be a big surprise if all three were selected again.
Are there any other current players on Minnesota’s roster that could show up on the NFL Top 100 list for 2019?
Danielle Hunter certainly has a great chance to appear on this year’s list. Hunter made his first Pro Bowl last season after racking up an impressive 14.5 sacks.
Other than him though, it’s hard to imagine any other players on the Vikings’ current roster who could get their first appearance on the NFL Top 100 list.
Episode one of this year’s countdown is set to air on Monday, July 22 at 9 p.m. EST on NFL Network.