Lone Minnesota Viking Makes NFLPA All-Pro Team
The Minnesota Vikings finished their 2024 regular season with a 14-3 record. That’s impossible to achieve without a boatload of talent on the roster. In fact, what might be more surprising is if they only had one player named as a 2024 All-Pro selection. But that’s exactly what happened on Wednesday morning.
Each and every season, players across the NFL are awarded “All-Pro” honors, to recognize them as the best at their position that year. Some have two teams, some have more, including “honorable mentions”. Over the years, more lists have surfaced.
Most are voted on by NFL media members. The oldest and most-often cited is the “Associated Press” All-Pro team. Others that you’ll recognize are from the Sporting News and the Pro Football Writers Association.
Justin Jefferson is lone Vikings NFLPA All-Pro selection
But no doubt, there’s something special about the most recent one, which was created in 2022, is the NFLPA All-Pro team, voted on by NFL players. Yes, the AP vote is still the big one, but that may not be the case 10 or 20 years from now.
So, how many players on an elite Vikings team were awarded All-Pro honors? Just one. Only Justin Jefferson was selected to the NFLPA All-Pro team, by a jury of his peers. The other WR selection was JJ’s LSU teammate, Ja’Marr Chase, of the Bengals.
Good luck stopping this squad. 😤
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) January 8, 2025
The 2024-25 NFLPA Players' All-Pro Offense—chosen by the players, for the players. 🏆🔥
FULL TEAM: https://t.co/lA8btsb02Y#PlayersAllPro #nflpa #nfl #allpro pic.twitter.com/IJ7evvGhLA
The players have spoken!@JJettas2 has made the @NFLPA's Players' All-Pro team.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 8, 2025
📰: https://t.co/iMpQDCCO0u pic.twitter.com/WLDoYO4FIt
After playing in just 10 games last year, Jefferson was healthy for all 17 Minnesota Vikings games this season. He tallied 1,533 yards and scored ten touchdowns for the second time in his career. As he acclimated to another new quarterback, Jefferson proved he is among the best in the game.
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All season long Jefferson continued to chase down accolades. The start of his career has been among the most prolific in NFL history. His 96.5 yards per game average is currently an NFL all-time career record.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON 97 YARD TUDDY!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/0PJs9mheCK
— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
Minnesota Vikings shutout elsewhere is a surprise
The NFLPA didn’t vote for second or third team All-Pro selections, so the amount of players to garner recognition was always going to be small. That said, it’s somewhat surprising that Minnesota couldn’t land another player amongst the group.
Sam Darnold has had an incredible season, but his MVP odds are much lower than the likes of Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen. He wasn’t going to be a consideration for the quarterback spot here.
Arguably the most shocking omission was that of Andrew Van Ginkel. The Vikings edge rusher was bested by both Trey Hendrickson and Myles Garrett. The former Miami Dolphins talent has a legitimate case for Defensive Player of the Year.
Van Ginkel delivers a BOOM.
— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2025
📺: #MINvsDET on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/hZuACnZB0K
Even while Van Ginkel wasn’t given the nod, his impact for Minnesota has been felt substantially in year one. He recorded a pair of pick sixes, and almost had a third against the Lions. His 11.5 sacks are a career high, and Van Ginkel also notched a new best in tackles with 79.
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Long snapper Andrew DePaola has previously earned AP All-Pro awards, but his four games missed this season may have hurt him amongst the player voting. Jacksonville’s Ross Matiscik got the nod there.
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