Minnesota Vikings Pro Football Hall of Fame watch

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will induct the class of 2023 on Aug. 5. Here are players from the 2023 Vikings who could join the immortals in Canton someday.

Fringe Hall of Famers 

Justin Jefferson, WR: Jefferson still has a long career ahead of him, but he's already putting together a Hall of Fame résumé. In three NFL seasons, he has done things no other receiver has, and he's only 23 and could get even better. 

In 2022, Jefferson led the NFL in receptions (128), receiving yards (1,809), and yards per game (106.4) and set a Vikings season record for catches and yards. Jefferson's 324 receptions and 20 100-yard receiving games are the most by a receiver through the first three seasons. It won't be surprising if, in the near future, Jefferson goes from a fringe Hall of Famer to a guaranteed inductee. 

Harrison Smith, safety: Smith has been one of the more consistent safeties in the NFL since the Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Entering his 12th season, Smith has already put together an impressive career worthy of the Hall of Fame conversation. 

A six-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro, Smith is still playing at a high level at 33, tallying 85 tackles and tying a career-high in interceptions (five) last season. Whether or not Smith has done enough to land in Canton remains to be seen, but he does have the backing of two Hall of Fame safeties in LeRoy Butler and Steve Atwater. 

A young player who could develop into a Hall of Famer 

Christian Darrisaw, LT: Selected 23rd overall by the Vikings in the 2021 NFL Draft, Darrisaw showed flashes of Hall of Fame potential in his second season. 

Darrisaw started 14 games for the Vikings last season, allowing 23 pressures and five sacks. With a 90.4 grade from Pro Football Focus, Darrisaw ranked second in the NFL among tackles, trailing only future first-ballot Hall of Famer Trent Williams (91.7). The 23-year-old has a lot of football in front of him, but he's already emerging as one of the best young tackles in the league.