NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 18: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings runs after a catch against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 18, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Vikings 25-20. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 18: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings runs after a catch against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 18, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Vikings 25-20. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

WR Stefon Diggs

Adam Thielen’s partner in crime is also on pace for a career-year. Similarly to Danielle Hunter, Stefon Diggs signed an identical five-year, $72 million deal ($40 million guaranteed) this offseason. So far, his contract has shown to be worth every penny.

Diggs hasn’t put up the type of numbers that Thielen has enjoyed, but he’s still easily worthy of Pro Bowl recognition. Despite missing one game due to a rib injury, Diggs has 79 receptions for 790 yards and six touchdowns.

Diggs should eclipse 1,000 yards for the first time in his career, with a projected overall total of 115 receptions for 1,149 yards and nine touchdowns. If Diggs is nominated for a Pro Bowl berth, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him partake in the Pro Bowl’s skills challenge for “best hands”.

DT Sheldon Richardson

After a slow start to the season, Sheldon Richardson has come on strong in the second half of the season. His stats don’t jump off the screen, but that doesn’t mean Richardson hasn’t been productive.

Richardson was a menace against the Green Bay Packers in Week 12, logging two sacks, two tackles for loss, and two QB hits. He was a key reason the Packers struggled protecting Aaron Rodgers from the interior.

Richardson currently stands at 3.5 sacks, 38 tackles (four tackles for loss), and 14 QB hits. After signing a one-year ‘prove it’ deal last March, the Vikings will face a difficult decision in re-signing Richardson to a lucrative deal this offseason.

DT Linval Joseph

Linval Joseph is in a similar position to Richardson. Both play somewhat praise-less positions, but both play a key role in making the Vikings’ defense function as a whole. Like Richardson, Joseph doesn’t have the flashy stats, but his stat line isn’t what makes him important.

Joseph routinely takes on double teams in the run game which opens up opportunities for Minnesota’s linebackers to play freely in space. The Vikings’ nose tackle is a key cog in the middle, eating up opposing blockers for his teammates while also causing holes to close quicker than they appear.

Joseph’s most impressive play this season came on a 64-yard fumble return for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. The turnover helped the Vikings win narrowly by a score of 23-21. Joseph currently has 35 tackles (four tackles for loss), one sack, three QB hits, and one forced fumble this season. He should make the Pro Bowl, but it remains to be seen.

Home/Minnesota Vikings