3 Dark Horse Pro Bowl Candidates for the Vikings
Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.
Pro Bowl voting is ongoing, and the Minnesota Vikings have a sweet 9-2 record through 11 games.
The Pro Bowl is scheduled for February 2nd, 2025, in Orlando, Florida, at Camping World Stadium.
3 Dark Horse Pro Bowl Candidates for the Vikings
And while folks will debate which Vikings players deserve the nod, these three men can be considered dark horses for the honor.
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Theyāre ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most deserving dark horse).
3. Blake Cashman (LB)
Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images.
Pro Football Focus believes Cashman is the NFLās 17th-best inside linebacker, and he might nibble at Pro Bowl contention because his team is on pace for a 14-3 record. He doesnāt really have any deficiencies in his game; Cashman performs all duties of an off-ball linebacker with precision.
Due to injury earlier in the season, he missed three games, which may hurt his Pro Bowl case. However, if voters can overlook the absence, Cashman should receive a few looks.
Some fans tend to think Cashman is Minnesotaās defensive glue because Brian Floresā unit fell apart against the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams with Cashman in the lineup. Thatās probably a stretch, but the fact remains that Cashmanās impact is undeniable. The man is on pace for about 100 tackles and is an excellent asset in pass coverage.
2. Byron Murphy (CB)
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Murphy has tabulated 4 interceptions in 2024 ā all of them pretty damn crucial and pivotal ā while showcasing a sweet 81.6 passer-rating-against.
Minnesota made Murphy its keynote defensive secondary signing in 2023, and during his first season, Murphy played in a decent category. Now, heās playing to a fringe Pro Bowl level.
Pro Bowl voters love stats, and if Murphy tallies 2-3 more picks in the next six games, he could turn votersā heads.
1. Sam Darnold (QB)
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images.
Darnold ranks 10th in the NFL through 11 games among all qualifying quarterbacks per EPA+CPOE, an efficiency metric measuring expected wins added. Heās essentially posting Kirk Cousins-like production at an 80% discount.
The guy who some fans claimed during the summer could have a āBaker Mayfield style reclamation seasonā is have a ā¦ Baker Mayfield-like reclamation season. Heās on pace to throw for 4,199 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
When initial voting results are announced, three of these men will likely get the Pro Bowl nod:
Jayden Daniels
Sam Darnold
Jared Goff
Jalen Hurts
Jordan Love
Baker Mayfield
Brock Purdy
Matthew Stafford
Thereās a slim chance that voters get frisky and make Darnold one of the three.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, āThe Sopranos,ā Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
