Fantasy FootballMinnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings Fantasy Football Preview

Kirk Cousins
All Kirk Cousins does is win off the field and when dealing with his contract. Hopefully he can turn some wins in on the field.

By Craig Forrestal

Kirk Cousins did it again. This offseason he agreed to a $66 million extension and continues to take advantage of the Vikings generosity towards him. Hopefully, Cousins and Adam Thielen reconnect this season with Stefon Diggs now in Buffalo. Dalvin Cook may or may not report to training camp in hopes of a new contract but the issue for Cook is he is always hurt at some point during the season so how much are you willing to invest in him long-term? Defensively they lost a lot up front so it will be seen how they can get to the QB.

Schedule

  • Week 1: Packers
  • Week 2: @ Colts
  • Week 3: Titans
  • Week 4: @ Texans
  • Week 5: @ Seahawks
  • Week 6: Falcons
  • Week 7: Bye
  • Week 8: @ Packers
  • Week 9: Lions
  • Week 10: @ Bears
  • Week 11: Cowboys
  • Week 12: Panthers
  • Week 13: Jaguars
  • Week 14: @ Buccaneers
  • Week 15: Bears
  • Week 16: @ Saints
  • Week 17: @ Lions

Players To Know

  • Kirk Cousins-QB: There are reasons to worry about Cousins this season. The WR depth is thin and they are relying on a whole lot of unproven talent outside of Thielen. Thielen was hurt last season and will need to remain healthy all year for Cousins to have any shot at being a fantasy factor. Cousins has stated he thinks the offense could improve if he were to take off and run more. That is an interesting thought because he had 14 rushing TDs in Washington compared to 2 rushing TDs in Minnesota. To me, Cousins is a QB2 that will need major TD production to stay in the fantasy conversation. 3900 passing yards and 25 TDs.
  • Dalvin Cook-RB: There are conflicting stories about whether or not Cook reports to camp and that is concerning for fantasy players. Dalvin Cook is the lifeblood of the Vikings offense. As Cook goes the offense goes. When Cook is good life is good in Minnesota. The problem is Cook has yet to play a full, healthy season in the NFL and for that reason, the two sides are at a standstill with contract negotiations. I am not saying this is Melvin Gordon like or Le’Veon Bell from a few seasons ago but it is concerning for someone with a first-round price. Let us say no holdout extends into the regular season, 1300 rushing yards and 10 TDs.
  • Alex Mattison-RB: Mattison might just be the most interesting man in fantasy football right now. James Conner emerged when Le’Veon Bell did his thing in Pittsburgh. Austin Ekeler made the Chargers forget about Melvin Gordon and now Mattison might be the next RB to emerge from a holdout. Mattison is in the right offense to be considered a weekly RB1 for every game Cook is out. Target Mattison in the mid-rounds if you want him. 550 rushing yards and 3 TDs.
  • Adam Thielen-WR: Yes, Adam Thielen was hurt last season and when healthy it was not what fantasy players expected. Fast forward to now and Stefon Diggs is gone and the two next likely WRs to get targets are Justin Jefferson and Tajae Sharpe. Thielen is in line for a tremendous amount of volume this season. It will be so much volume he will be a season-long WR1. 85 receptions for 1125 and 7 TDs.
  • Justin Jefferson-WR: Jefferson landed in a good spot considering Stefon Diggs is no longer in Minnesota and Adam Thielen is coming off an injury-riddled season. Jefferson could see roughly 100 targets, or just over 6 per game, as a rookie and that could turn into a nice fantasy showing for the rookie. Also, if the injury bug continues to bite Thielen he is set up for a monster year potentially. 50 receptions for 700 yards and 4 TDs.
  • Kyle Rudolph-TE: This season could be different for Rudolph because there are targets available but he is not a lock to get them. There is speculation that Irv Smith Jr will be more involved this season. Also, Rudolph has never been a high volume guy in the past. He will be a TD dependent play. I’m not considering him for a roster spot at the moment. 40 catches for 400 yards and 4 TDs.
  • Irv Smith Jr-TE: Irv Smith Jr will get on the field this season and play a role. however, that may not come until the midway point or so. With the loss of Stefon Diggs and the need to find pass catchers this may open up a door for Smith JR. 40 catches for 500 yards and 4 TDs.

Defense

The defensive line lost Linval Joseph, Stephen Weatherly and Everson Griffin and it will be seen how they can get into the backfield without those guys. The defense has long been a strong point for the Vikings and we will see if the defensive genius Mike Zimmer can cook up something with some new faces on the unit. Many expect them to still be a fantasy force this season but I think it might be a little bit more borderline to have dominant they will be in 2020.

Potential Breakout Player

  • Alexander Mattison-RB

Rookie To Know

  • Justin Jefferson-WR

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