Fantasy Football 2010 Team Previews: Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
Must Own
Dalvin Cook, RB (ADP: 18): Cook has all the talent in the world to be a first round-caliber pick, but injuries have marred each of his first two promising seasons. Cook is electric when he’s healthy, but he only managed four games before blowing up his knee as a rookie, then battled injuries again last year, even returning too early and forcing his fantasy owners to start him for a few duds. He’s been pushed down to 12th off the board at his position now, and it’s kind of perfect. Cook can absolutely deliver on this ADP and more, but he’s been so banged up that you’ve got to price in that risk. This ADP does that. Cook is a perfect RB1 for teams that decide to splurge on a receiver with their first pick.
Adam Thielen, WR (ADP: 26): Thielen built on a breakout 2017 by posting career-highs in receptions (113), yards (1,373) and touchdowns (9) with new QB Kirk Cousins. Thielen had a brutal fade down the stretch, but overall he was as solid a WR1 as there was in football. There’s some risk that his TD total reverts to where it had always been previously, but I buy that this is Thielen’s new norm, and would happily draft him at this ADP.
Stefon Diggs, WR (ADP: 37): Diggs’ numbers are very similar to Thielen’s, although I rank him lower than Thielen because you almost have to build in some missed time due to injury. Diggs is more of a PPR option than Thielen, thriving on shorter targets, but he’s proven to be a reliable TD source and low-end WR1. This ADP is fine, and, in fact, I think if he goes here he might even be a value.
Defense/Special Teams: This defense has star power; CBs Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes are studs, as is S Harrison Smith and DE Everson Griffen. This secondary limited opponents to 15 passing touchdowns in 2018, and they were one of five defenses to post a positive “EXP” – expected points contributed – ranking third in that metric. The Vikings held opponents to 20 or fewer points seven times, and only gave up 28 points or more three times. They were consistently good, and fantasy owners shouldn’t ever let good be the enemy of great.
Fantasy Relevant
Kirk Cousins, QB (ADP: 130): Cousins clearly isn’t a player that fantasy owners are excited about this season, and I can’t figure out why. He’s not flashy, but he threw for 4,300 yards last season, attempted 606 passes, and tossed 30 touchdowns. He has arguably the best receiving duo in the NFL at his disposal, as well as an elite RB when healthy. He also runs a little bit, having rushed for four or more touchdowns for three straight seasons before falling down to one in 2018. Cousins is probably going to finish as a Top 10 QB, so his ADP, which sees him as the 20th QB off the board, is a steal. I’d much rather load up elsewhere and steal Cousins then burn a second rounder on Patrick Mahomes.
Kyle Rudolph, TE (ADP: 161): Rudolph is as boring as it gets at tight end. He is touchdown-dependent and likely has a ceiling of around 650 yards. This should be a high volume passing offense, so he has a chance to flirt with double-digit touchdowns, but there are far more talented players at the position this year, so I’ll be ignoring him in drafts.
Handcuff(s)
Alexander Mattison, RB (ADP: 163): Mattison, a wrecking ball out of Boise State, is getting some buzz as a potential breakout because of Cook’s expanding injury history. He certainly had monster numbers in college, totaling 30 touchdowns in his final two seasons and rushing for 1,000+ yards in each campaign. I agree with his upside, however he’ll be completely irrelevant if Cook can stay on the field. I would strongly recommend all Cook owners handcuff their high pick to Mattison.
Deep Sleepers
Irv Smith Jr., TE (ADP: 240): Smith Jr. would be a ton more interesting if the Vikings hadn’t re-upped Kyle Rudolph, but despite that this rookie has some potential to be relevant. Minnesota should have one of the best offenses in the league, and they’ll throw a lot. Meanwhile, Smith Jr., a 6’2, 242-lb. beast, averaged 16.1 yards per catch at Alabama. This isn’t O.J. Howard part two over here, and his weak blocking will hold him back from a big role, but he’s a decent dynasty league flier.