Top 10 Best Minnesota Vikings Players Going Into the 2018 Season
The Minnesota Vikings are coming off of one of their best seasons in years, going 13-3 in a run to the NFC Championship. During the offseason, they brought in a notable quarterback and a few others. Who among the team is the best though? We're looking at the top ten best Minnesota Vikings players going into the 2018 season.
Harrison Smith is an American football safety for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. When you think about the Vikings defense, Smith is the first one to come to mind. He's the practical leader of the Vikings defense. He had five interceptions in 2017, two of them alone coming from a Week 16 shutout of the Green Bay Packers. Not to mention, he's made the Pro Bowl for three straight years, earned First Team All-Pro honors in 2017, and was in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. He's the Vikings' best player.
Kirk Cousins is an American football quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. "You like that?!" Well, I do like the signing of Kirk Cousins in the offseason. He was underrated with the Redskins and was rushed out of the way for Alex Smith. He didn't have a good team around him in Washington, so he could succeed. Now with the Vikings, he's their key piece to win their first Super Bowl.
Stefon Diggs is an American football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League.
Diggs was drafted in the fifth round one hundred and forty sixth overall to the Minnesota Vikings in 2015. Looking to have yet another elite season, Diggs has cemented himself as the Vikings' number one wide receiver. No, I'm not basing this ranking on the Minneapolis Miracle. That play was based on a lucky missed tackle. If you looked at his play in 2017, you would know what I'm talking about.
He's coming off the best season of his career, racking up 13 sacks and starting 15 games. He's the leader of the Vikings defensive line, and they will wreak havoc in 2018. Watch out, NFC North.
2017 was his most productive season to date, scoring 10 touchdowns and earning a Pro Bowl nod and Second Team All-Pro honors. He's sealed himself as a starter.
Xavier Rhodes is an American football cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He's the best cornerback in the league not named AJ Bouye or Jalen Ramsey. Sure, he took a step down from his 2016 season, but he actually started all 16 games in 2017 and logged two interceptions. He's the player Minnesota needs to teach the young Vikings defensive backs.
Linval Clement Joseph is an American football defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League. He's just another wrecking force coming off yet another Pro Bowl season for the Vikings. He'll thrive in 2018.
Kyle Daniel Rudolph is an American football tight end for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He's coming off his second Pro Bowl season with eight touchdowns, and that's not bad for a tight end. He'll continue to be one of the best tight ends in the league.
He had seven sacks in 2017 and was a solid asset for the Vikings. Maybe he'll go back to double digits in sacks like he did in 2016.
Anthony Barr is an American football outside linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. Though coming off a down season, recording just one sack in 16 starts, he still made the Pro Bowl, due to his athleticism at linebacker. He'll be solid for years yet in Minnesota.
Sheldon Adam Richardson is an American football defensive end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League.