6 Vikings included on CBS Sports Top 100 NFL Players of 2021
By Adam Carlson
The NFL is full of massively talented individuals. There will always be some debate as to who the cream of the crop is when comparing them with each other, but fans of the Minnesota Vikings have some great arguments for having some of the best players in the league at several positions entering the 2021 NFL season.
This is the time of year where all those “Top 100” lists start coming out and many experts around the league try to justify their rankings. Recently, CBS Sports analyst Pete Prisco released his list of the Top 100 NFL Players of 2021 and it was actually quite favorable when it comes to including the purple and gold.
Six players from the Minnesota Vikings were included in that list. Considering there are 32 teams in the NFL, that means each team should have an average of approximately three players on the list. Minnesota has double that number.
Which six Vikings players made Prisco’s list?
There are some names included on the Top 100 of 2021 list that won’t surprise anyone while a couple of others might be a bit eye-opening for fans even if they know how important they are to Minnesota’s success this season.
- A focused Dalvin Cook was the second running back on the list and landed at No. 19 as the highest-placed Vikings player and the second-most rushing yards last year.
- Wide receiver Justin Jefferson was the second Minnesota player included at No. 45 after a record-breaking rookie year.
- After sitting out the 2020 season due to injury, defensive end Danielle Hunter still made the Top 100 at No. 75.
- Two spots later at No. 77, veteran safety Harrison Smith was recognized for his efforts in a defense that struggled mightily in 2020.
- Quarterback Kirk Cousins earned the No. 93 spot on the list while throwing the sixth-most touchdowns last season.
- Adam Thielen rounded out the purple and gold representatives after catching the third-most touchdowns in 2020. He was at No. 97 on the list.
Were there any snubs?
The only arguments for who was snubbed on this list are linebacker Eric Kendricks, who has been a consistent force in the defense since arriving in Minnesota, and possibly right tackle Brian O’Neill, the team’s best returning offensive lineman.
Still, seeing six members of the Minnesota Vikings make Pete Prisco’s list of the Top 100 NFL Players of 2021 is nice to see, even if a couple of fan favorites didn’t make the cut this year. Hopefully, there will be even more than six next year.