The Vikings passed on these non-QB players. Now they’re in the playoffs.

The Vikings passed on these non-QB players. Now they’re in the playoffs.

The NFL will use 168 starters who do not play quarterback to stage four division playoff games, according to information obtained by The Star Tribune.

Come meet a few of them.

Lions’ offensive lineup

There aren’t five more significant Lions in Detroit than Graham Glasgow,

Jonah Jackson, Chanhassen’s second-team All-Pro Frank Ragnow,

Taylor Decker, and Penei Sewell, the first-team All-Pro from another planet.

Cement-shod Jared Goff isn’t a sitting mallard on the front stoop of Bud Grant’s heaven-sent mansion thanks to

the finest offensive line in football.

The Lions are the only club in the top five in all of the following categories: total offense,

rushing, passing, average per rush, average per pass,

fewest sacks allowed, time of possession, red-zone efficiency, and scoring.

They have a league-high 29 rushing touchdowns in 18 games.

No matter what clever trick play Kevin O’Connell opts for,

the Vikings will never be able to equal Detroit’s kneecap-biting ferocity up front.

 

Bucs’ Antoine Winfield Jr.

Safety Antoine Winfield Jr., a former Gopher who ought to be a Viking right now,

is the best and most dangerous player on the field for a Tampa Bay Bucs defense that is starting to click.

Speaking of vintage ornery safeties,

Winfield was named to the inaugural team of the Pro Football Hall of Fame after accomplishing the same feat as

Rodney Harrison 24 years prior. Winfield became the first player to record at least 120 tackles (122),

10 passes defended (12), and five sacks (6) in a single season since Harrison in 2000.

Rick Spielman traded from 25 to 31 in the opening round four years ago.

Brandon Aiyuk, a receiver, was selected by the 49ers in the 25th round. Jordan Love was taken by the Packers 26th.

Second-team All-Pro linebacker Patrick Queen was selected by the Ravens on the 28th pick.

Jeff Gladney, a cornerback, was selected 31st by the Vikings. The Pirates

Hurt.

Regarding which…

Chiefs players Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis

The Chiefs, who have the weakest offense since Patrick Mahomes took over,

are attempting to make it to their sixth consecutive AFC championship game in Kansas City.

Luckily for Andy Reid, the Chiefs defense is playing better than it has ever played.

George Karlaftis, an edge rusher, and cornerback Trent McDuffie are two of his most important defenders.

Both were chosen after Lewis Cine was chosen 32nd overall by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah,

who had previously traded the 12th overall pick of the 2022 draft.

This season, McDuffie was named a first-team All-Pro.

Karlaftis had 19 sacks in just two seasons, including a career-high 1½ in a wild-card victory against Miami that saw

the Chiefs’ elite offense manage just one third-down convert in 12 attempts.

We’re not quite done with that draft, wait.

Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum

Moving on, the top-seeded Ravens of the AFC are ranked first in scoring defense (16.5) and fourth in scoring (28.4).

Their two mainstays for the second year are first-team Completely professional safety First-time Pro Bowl selection

Tyler Linderbaum, a burly center taken 25th and currently in the middle of Baltimore’s top-ranked run game,

and Kyle Hamilton, selected two spots after Adofo-Mensah surrendered his pick.

Walker Quay, Packers

Inside linebacker Quay Walker of Green Bay, who was selected 22nd overall in the 2022 selection, is fresh off a

game-high 11 tackles in the horrifying upset of the Cowboys by the seventh-seeded Packers. Walker is one of just

three Packers since the regular season to have a team-high 118 tackles. during the regular season and is one of only

three Packers since 1970 to post two consecutive 100-tackle seasons to start a career.

And, by the way, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt — selected 28th in that 2022 draft — had 5½ sacks this season.

49ers’ Christian McCaffrey

Christian McCaffrey, a running back in San Francisco, is the favorite to win NFL Offensive Player of the Year,

replacing Justin Jefferson. Even though quarterback Brock Purdy had a league-high passer rating of 113.0,

McCaffrey, who leads the 49ers in touchdowns (21) and total yards (2,023),

is the catalyst that drives the team’s physical play.

Texans’ Will Anderson Jr.

C.J. Stroud, the second overall pick in Houston, is arguably the most experienced rookie quarterback in team history.

However, what about Will Anderson Jr., the third overall choice? With eight sacks in 18 games, this exceptional edge

rusher has elevated the Texans’ victory total by eight heading to Baltimore.

The defense improved from 30th to 14th in yards allowed and from 27th to 11th in points allowed.

Bills and Kaiir Elam

Underappreciated cornerback Kaiir Elam of Buffalo, who was selected 23rd overall in the 2022 selection,

made his comeback last week after missing all but three games during the regular season due to a foot ailment.

All he did was stop the Steelers from scoring a touchdown by posting an interception in the end zone.

It’s true that there are other players in the NFL besides well-known quarterbacks.

Or brilliant coaches having a game of chess with each other.

Look no farther than Detroit, where the Lions are riding high

on three consecutive home run drafts and those five grizzled veterans protecting Goff.

NFL Playoffs: Mark Craig projects which four teams will advance.

Following some wild-card weekend surprises,

the top seeds in each conference—the 49ers in the NFC and the Ravens in the AFC—enter the game.

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