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As he does every year, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports has put together his list of the top 100 NFL players for the upcoming season. Many people won’t be surprised to hear that five members of the Minnesota Vikings roster made the list. They will, however, be pretty shocked to find out one of the players that did not make it.
The highest-rated Viking on Prisco’s list, not surprisingly, is defensive end Danielle Hunter, who checks in at #25 overall.
This 25-year-old had 14.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons to establish himself as one of the best edge players in the league. He can rush with speed or power.
Next up, at #37, was one of Hunter’s defensive teammates, as Harrison Smith checks in at #37.
He should have been on the All-Decade team at safety with his range and his ability to do so many things as a big part of the Vikings defense. His play slipped a little last season, but he’s still a top-tier safety.
(37? He’s 37?!)
We move to the offensive side of the ball next, with running back Dalvin Cook ranking at #44 on Prisco’s list.
He missed two games and still rushed for 1,135 yards and a 4.5 yards per-rush average. He also had 13 rushing touchdowns. His next hurdle is playing all 16 games.
Next, we come to a guy that probably should have been rated higher, as linebacker Eric Kendricks makes the list at #61.
He is coming off his best season – by far. He was always good against the pass, but he improved greatly last season as a run player.
Last, but not least, quarterback Kirk Cousins finds himself on the list at #86. He is the 10th quarterback of the players that Prisco puts in his top 100.
He had another good season for the Vikings, leading them to the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs. He threw 26 touchdown passes and six picks.
So, who’s not there?
How about safety Anthony Harris, who led the NFL in interceptions in 2019? Seriously, you could make a convincing argument that he had a better season than Harrison Smith did in 2019, and Smith still cracked the top 50 on this list.
I mean, I shouldn’t complain too much about the Vikings placing five players in the top 100 in the NFL on the list, but Harris’ absence just seems a bit weird given the way he broke out in 2019 and the fact that he appears to still be on an upward trajectory.
What do you think about Prisco’s Top 100 for 2020 list, folks?