A first-round left tackle out of Virginia Tech who has flashed elite talent when healthy but has had his career interrupted by injuries.
Christian Darrisaw arrived in Minnesota as the 23rd overall pick in 2021 and quickly established himself as one of the better young left tackles in football. Injuries, most significantly a torn ACL, have complicated his path since, but the Vikings have continued to build their line around him.
Path to the league
Darrisaw started every game he played at left tackle for Virginia Tech, earning Second-Team All-American recognition from the Associated Press and a First-Team All-ACC selection. The Vikings traded back from 14 to 23 in the 2021 NFL Draft and still landed him, a signal of how highly they valued him.
Career highlights
Darrisaw developed into one of the NFL's premier left tackles, protecting Minnesota's blind side with the kind of athleticism and technique that made him a foundational piece of the offensive line. His breakout stretch established him as a top-tier pass protector before injuries began interrupting his availability.
2025 season recap
Darrisaw was still working his way back from a torn ACL suffered in October 2024, and his 2025 season was limited as a result. He appeared in 10 games but finished only six of them, dealing with recurring knee soreness before Minnesota shut him down in mid-December. He entered 2026 healthier, with teammates noting he looked strong in offseason work.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Christian Darrisaw
- Pro Football Reference: Christian Darrisaw
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Offensive Tackle
- Group
- offense
- College
- Virginia Tech
- Hometown
- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA
- Age
- 27
- Status
- active
