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Minnesota Vikings: Players who deserve Pro Bowl nod

By Joe Kipp

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 4: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings catches the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 4: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings catches the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 4: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings catches the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 4: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings catches the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

WR Adam Thielen

Is anyone surprised to see his name here? For starters, Adam Thielen has been arguably the most dominant receiver in the NFL in 2018. Thielen set an NFL record by starting the season with eight consecutive games of 100 or more receiving yards. He currently has 93 receptions with five games to go, already topping his previous career-high of 91 in 2017, which saw him named to his first Pro Bowl.

Thielen’s 2018 total currently stands at 93 receptions for 1,138 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s been targeted a whopping 124 times, and his current pace sets him up for 135 receptions for 1,655 yards and 12 touchdowns. Essentially, Thielen’s a lock for the Pro Bowl, and possibly even a first-team All-Pro nod.

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DE Danielle Hunter

Danielle Hunter has built quite the resume over his short NFL career. Already tied for second-most sacks in the league (11.5), Hunter is on pace to lead the Vikings in sacks for the second time in three seasons. Additionally, he’s racked up 16 tackles for loss and 15 QB hits.

Hunter has become one of the best young pass-rushers in the league and still has plenty of room to grow at just 24 years-old. He wins against opposing blockers with his athletic traits and high motor effort. What he lacks in refined technique he makes up for with his crazy athleticism.

The ceiling is still very high for Hunter, who just signed a new five-year, $72 million deal ($40 million guaranteed); a bargain for the production Minnesota is getting from the young edge defender.

S Harrison Smith

It’s been somewhat of a quiet year for standout safety Harrison Smith (by his standards), but his production still places him in an improbable position of missing the Pro Bowl. In fact, the seventh-year safety may make it on name recognition alone.

But Smith doesn’t need name recognition, as he’s still performed at a high level all season. The Vikings have moved him around like a chess piece due to a season-ending injury to Andrew Sendejo (groin), and Smith hasn’t backed down.

‘Harry Hitman’ currently has three interceptions, 59 tackles, six tackles for loss, four QB hits, three sacks, one forced fumble and five passes defensed. Needless to say, Smith has been all over the place. He should be a lock for this year’s Pro Bowl.

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