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David Levine -> RE: General Vikes Talk (7/19/2021 10:38:12 AM)
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ESPN:
2021 NFL position-by-position rankings: 50-plus coaches, execs, players make their picks
Who's the NFL's best cornerback? Wide receiver? Offensive tackle? What about the second-best defensive tackle -- after Aaron Donald? To preview the 2021 NFL season, we set out to answer those questions and much more.
We surveyed more than 50 league executives, coaches, scouts and players to help us stack the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from edge rusher to interior offensive linemen and all the way through tight ends. This is the second edition of these rankings, and there are several players who moved up and dropped from last year's lists.
Here's how our process worked: Voters gave us their best 10 to 15 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average, interviews, research and film-study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. We had several ties, so we broke them by isolating the two-man matchup with additional voting and follow-up calls. Each section is packed with quotes and nuggets from the voters on every guy -- even the honorable mentions.
The objective is to identify the best players right now for 2021. This is not a five-year projection or an achievement award. Who's the best today? Pretty simple.
We've compiled links to all 11 position groups here, so consider this your homepage for the entire series.
VIKINGS:
EDGE RUSHERS:
10. Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings
Highest ranking: 4 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 26 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
Hunter finished just outside of the top 10 going into last season, but voters recognized just how much the Vikings missed him in 2020. The numbers say Minnesota's pass production cut nearly in half without Hunter, who missed the entire season after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disc.
Since 2019, the Vikings have 42 sacks on opponents' 527 dropbacks (8%) with Hunter on the field, yet 29 sacks on 679 dropbacks (4.3%) with Hunter off the field. Hunter racked up 56 pressures by himself in 2019, yet the Vikings had 137 total pressures as a team last season, fourth-fewest in the NFL.
Still underpaid on a five-year, $72 million deal, expect Hunter to remind Minnesota of his worth in 2021.
"He's kind of like Myles Garrett in that he's built like a Marvel character," an AFC scout said. "Special traits and he has length to win and counter moves to go with it."
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LINEBACKERS:
7. Eric Kendricks, Minnesota Vikings
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 12
Age: 29 | Last year's ranking: 3
Kendricks fell from the top five, in part because of the young talents climbing the list. He was still productive with six pass deflections and three interceptions in 11 games, along with an 82.6 rating from Pro Football Focus. The Vikings sorely missed him down the stretch, as he didn't play the final five games. Overall last season, Minnesota allowed 4.3 yards per carry when he was on the field and 5.1 yards per carry when he was on the sideline or out injured.
"When I think of an ILB, he's who I think of -- diagnose plays, physical tackler, good zone instincts, above-average blitzer. He's one of the best from that second group," a veteran AFC coach said.
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SAFETIES:
5. Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: 7
Age: 32 | Last year's ranking: 2
Age is the only thing slowing Smith down. One high-ranking AFC evaluator called Smith "the gold standard for the last half-decade" at safety. Reputation and consistency earn Smith high votes, but most agree that his best years might be behind him.
Still, his production at age 31 last year was impressive, with five interceptions and 10 pass deflections. He relies on being an "incredibly smart" player at this stage of his career, as an NFC offensive coach said. Smith is a true center fielder in the Vikings' defense while leading the communication for the secondary.
"Unbelievable at disguise," the coach said. "He knows where he has to get to on the field -- as good as there is at that. The question now is can he still get there?"
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QUARTERBACKS:
Quarterbacks also receiving votes:
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings: "He's a good player. He's easy to nitpick, but he's productive and great for that system." -- NFC exec
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RUNNING BACKS:
3. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 7
Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: 6
Cook followed a contract extension with his best season yet, posting career highs in attempts (312), rushing yards (1,557), rushing touchdowns (16) and yards per carry (5.0).
He did all this despite missing two games. A full season would have pushed him closer to an 1,800-yard clip.
"I always look for versatility -- catch the ball out of the backfield, run outside the tackles and display explosive traits," said an AFC exec who voted Cook at No. 1. "Cook exhibits that better than anyone else."
Cook's 91 rushing first downs are second to Henry's 98 despite 66 fewer carries (378 to 312). He has caught at least 40 passes in each of the past three years and is a one-cut dynamo in the red zone, producing 222 yards on 58 carries inside the 20, highest among backs with more than 30 red zone attempts.
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WIDE RECEIVERS:
Honorable mention:
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings: "He has almost like a Eurostep where he can Gumby his way into routes." -- AFC scout
Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings: "Savvy technique, route running, counter moves, toughness, he's still so good. And he has a knack for making plays in the end zone." -- AFC offensive coach
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