Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson and long snapper Andrew DePaola earned first-team All-Pro honors for the second time in three seasons with Jefferson joining former LSU teammate and Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase as the only unanimous first-team selections by the 50 members who voted for the 2024 Associated Press All-Pro NFL teams.
“That’s crazy,” said Jefferson, who also has two second-team All-Pro nods in his five seasons. “The respect level is what I’m most proud of. Every single one of those guys voted for me. That’s something that’s very special and very difficult to do in this league.”
The 37-year-old DePaola now has three All-Pro honors, including a second-team selection last year, since turning 35. He won this year despite spending four games on injured reserve.
“It’s neat to be recognized as what people would say is the best,” he said. “But it’s also just me showing up, trying to do my job at the highest level, trying not to get noticed, I guess.”
Vikings edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel was named to the second-team defense, earning the first All-Pro recognition of his six-year career in his first year with the Vikings. Van Ginkel, who received 18 points and two first-team votes, had 11½ sacks and 18 tackles for loss and returned two interceptions for touchdowns this year.
“When I look back on the year I’ve had, it really is a blessing to get this,” Van Ginkel said. “First, I get injured with the Lisfranc injury in Miami at the end of last year. Then it’s not knowing which team I would be a part of. Then the Vikings showing trust and love and commitment in me in free agency. Coming here, rehabbing and then going out and getting an opportunity to show I can do this.”
Jefferson, the unanimous NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, heads into Monday night’s playoff game against the Rams with 103 receptions for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns. Chase won receiving’s triple crown with 127 catches for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns.
“It’s definitely a special bond that we have,” Jefferson said. “It’s crazy that we played alongside each other at one point.“
