Which former Minnesota Vikings players could earn a Pro Bowl selection this year?
This past offseason, the Minnesota Vikings saw a number of notable players part ways with the franchise from both sides of the ball.
This season is Minnesota’s first without Stefon Diggs in the lineup since 2014. Diggs wound up getting traded to the Buffalo Bills last March after his relationship with the Vikings hit a breaking point.
Minnesota has also had to play each of their games this year without the help of guys like Linval Joseph, Everson Griffen, Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, or Mackensie Alexander. Without these players, the Vikings defense is currently giving up the sixth-most points per matchup in the NFL this season.
Some of these guys have gone on to find success in a new home (Diggs and Rhodes), while others have failed to perform at the high level that made them such a big part of Minnesota’s success during the last five years.
There are even some former Vikings players that are performing so well this season that it will likely result in them earning a Pro Bowl selection. Who are some of these former members of Minnesota’s roster that could wind up with a spot on the AFC or NFC’s annual all-star team this year?
Stefon Diggs – WR (Buffalo Bills)
In his first NFL season not in a Vikings uniform, things are going pretty well for Stefon Diggs. With the Bills this year, Diggs quickly emerged as the team’s top receiving target.
In 11 games with Buffalo this season, the former Minnesota receiver has hauled in 80 passes for 945 yards and four touchdowns. Diggs currently ranks second in the NFL in catches and sixth in the league in receiving yards.
The former Vikings pass-catcher is on pace to shatter his single-season career records for receptions (102) and receiving yards (1,130). As long as he remains healthy during the next five weeks, he shouldn’t have any trouble setting these new career marks.
Surprisingly, Diggs has actually never been voted to the Pro Bowl during his time in the NFL. Despite putting up impressive numbers during his tenure with Minnesota, it never resulted in him earning a Pro Bowl selection.
With the way Diggs is playing this year, however, his streak of non-Pro Bowl campaigns should come to an end.
Cordarrelle Patterson – KR/WR/RB (Chicago Bears)
For a team that has now lost their last five games, Cordarrelle Patterson has been one of the few bright spots for the Chicago Bears this season.
As is the case every year, Patterson is continuing to be one of the most dangerous kick returners in the NFL. His 29.6 yards per kick return average currently ranks first in the NFC this season and back in Week 10 against the Vikings, he took a kickoff and returned it 104 yards for a touchdown.
In addition to his kick return duties, Patterson has been lining up all over the place for the Bears this year. In 11 games this season, the former Minnesota first-round draft pick has accumulated 19 catches for 124 yards while also carrying the football 43 times for 126 yards.
Since entering the league in 2013 with the Vikings, Patterson has earned a total of three trips to the Pro Bowl for his work as a kick returner. With how well he is still performing as a kick returner, expect him to earn his fourth Pro Bowl selection this season.
Xavier Rhodes – CB (Indianapolis Colts)
With the Vikings last season, Xavier Rhodes was a surprise addition to the Pro Bowl. Rhodes had one of the worst years of his career in 2019, but somehow, he still ended up playing in the league’s annual all-star game.
This season, the former Minnesota cornerback has returned to performing at a high level and his play is actually deserving of a Pro Bowl selection, unlike last year.
While the Vikings’ inexperienced group of corners have struggled this season, Rhodes is back to shutting down opposing receivers and making plays in the secondary.
The former Minnesota defensive back has appeared in all 11 games for the Colts this year and he’s been able to rack up 23 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and two interceptions. Rhodes is also allowing his coverage to catch just 46.3 percent of their targets and opposing quarterbacks have a rating of only 63.7 when throwing in the direction of the veteran corner.
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So while a Pro Bowl for Rhodes was pretty surprising in 2019, he’s done more than enough to earn another nod this season.