The Vikings open preseason play today in Cincinnati, and a handful of players received national praise before the games get started.
Sports Illustrated released a list of its top 100 NFL players, and a quartet of Vikings were recognized.
Minnesota had three defensive players mentioned in defensive tackle Linval Joseph, linebacker Anthony Barr and safety Harrison Smith, plus running back Adrian Peterson on offense.
Smith, Barr and Peterson ranked in the top 40 of the list.
Smith’s ranking of 22 matches his jersey number and was highest among the Vikings.