Jonathan Allen, Blake Cashman, Christian Darrisaw, Andrew DePaola, C.J. Ham, T.J. Hockenson, Ryan Kelly, Brian O’Neill and Harrison Smith were rated in the top 10 at their positions along with Jefferson.
Let’s start with a new Viking: Allen is an 88 and tied for 10th among defensive tackles. Some of his most impressive traits are 95 tackling, 88 power moves, 88 play recognition, 86 pursuit and 84 block shedding.
Cashman closely cracked the Top 10 Mike linebackers, with an 83 overall rating. His 90 acceleration is fantastic, and seen often last season closing the distance on quarterbacks when he was used as a blitzer. Cashman received 87 pursuit, 84 play recognition and 83 hit power ratings after his superb homecoming.
“Big Dog” Darrisaw is a 92 overall, the second-highest rated Viking and sixth-highest rated left tackle. His 97 impact blocking is elite, as are his 95 pass block versus power rushes and 90 pass block versus finesse.
DePaola, a First- or Second-Team All-Pro in each of the past three seasons — not to mention the only long snapper in NFL history to gather three straight Pro Bowl nods — tied with Chargers long snapper Josh Harris for the No. 1 rating. An 81 overall, DePaola possesses 75 strength and 72 toughness.
Currently entrenched in his 10th training camp, Ham was designated a 75 overall and the No. 4 fullback after San Francisco’s Kyle Juszczyk (88), Baltimore’s Patrick Ricard (83) and Buffalo’s Reggie Gilliam (79). A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Ham can lay down the hammer with 79 trucking and 74 stiff arm ratings.