Everson Griffen is lucky No. 7.
The Vikings defensive end on Monday night became the seventh Vikings player to be revealed on the NFL's Top 100 list, as one of Minnesota's top defensive leaders checked in at No. 19. Players' votes determine the rankings in the annual list.
Griffen made the list for the second time in his career and vaulted up the list 73 spots from his ranking of 92nd in 2017. "The Sack Daddy" joins Jared Allen and Adrian Peterson as the only Vikings to place in the top 20 since the Top 100 list began in 2011.
The former fourth-round pick racked up 13 sacks in 2017, a career-high for Griffen. He also recorded 47 total tackles (according to coaches' tally) with 16 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.
Griffen opened the season with 10 sacks in his first eight games and recorded at least 1.0 in each outing to tie Jim Marshall and Allen for the longest streak by a Viking. Griffen also joined Robert Mathis (2005) and Dwight Freeney (2009) as the only players since 1982 to record a sack in the first eight weeks of a season.
He dealt with a foot injury as the season progressed, but his sacks total tied with three other players for fourth this season. Griffen brought his career total to 61, which ranks seventh in Vikings history.
Griffen's peers around the league had plenty of praise for the defensive end who earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2017 and has made three consecutive Pro Bowls.
Eagles tackle Lane Johnson used the term "man-child" to describe Griffen.
"Crazy first step. There's a lot of guys that can rush the passer, but his get-off is special. Especially in Minnesota with that turf, it's unfair," Johnson said. "He's relentless. The tackle thinks he has it made, but he'll pop it back in with a spin."
Added Buccaneers offensive tackle Donovan Smith: "You know you've got your hands full when he's playing."
Griffen's current and former teammates talked on the show about the emotion and passion Minnesota's vocal leader brings to the field.
"He's pleasant if you're not the opposing quarterback," said former Vikings and current Broncos quarterback Case Keenum.
Keenum later added: "He's talented. And he gets after the quarterback and he lets you know about it, too."
Added Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo: "Everson Griffen … have you ever met that guy? He's got a personality. I think he's got a few personalities, actually."
Said Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter: "He's an incredible teammate. He brings the 'oomph.' He comes off the line, and it's like an explosion."
Six Vikings had already been named to the Top 100 list prior to Monday: wide receiver Adam Thielen (No. 36) safety Harrison Smith (No. 46), cornerback Xavier Rhodes (No. 55), wide receiver Stefon Diggs (No. 65), defensive tackle Linval Joseph (No. 83) and quarterback Kirk Cousins (No. 94).
Griffen was the 10th defensive end unveiled on the 2018 list. He ranked ahead of Yannick Ngakoue (Jaguars; No. 88), J.J. Watt (Texans; No. 84), Melvin Ingram (Chargers; No. 76), Cameron Wake (Dolphins; No. 74), Joey Bosa (Chargers; No. 37), Demarcus Lawrence (Cowboys; No. 34), Jadeveon Clowney (Texans; No. 32), Chandler Jones (Cardinals; No. 28) and Cameron Jordan (Saints; No. 26).
The full grouping revealed along with Griffen this week was: Saints running back Alvin Kamara (No. 20), Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (No. 18), Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (No. 17), Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (No. 16), Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (No. 15), Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell (No. 14), Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (No. 13), Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (No. 12) and Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (No. 11).
