2022 Team Previews: Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings Fantasy Preview 2022
All ADP data is courtesy of Fantasy Pros.
** = target in drafts at this ADP
Top 120
Justin Jefferson, WR (ADP: 6): There’s not much to say about Jefferson that’s enlightening. He has the look of an all-time great WR, he’s posted 1,400+ and 1,600+ yards in his first two seasons, and scored double-digit touchdowns last season. There’s a very good chance he ends 2022 as the WR1 in fantasy, and he has a leg up on guys that used to be taken ahead of him like Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill due to his continuity with Kirk Cousins. This ADP is a wonderful place to take Jefferson, and I’d say he’s viable anywhere after the first two picks.
Dalvin Cook, RB (ADP: 8): Cook was somewhat disappointing in 2021, but this ADP indicates fantasy managers weren’t discouraged too much by the slight letdown. His numbers weren’t bad; he put up 1,300+ yards from scrimmage and averaged 4.7 yards per carry. The issue for Cook was a lack of touchdowns. He only put up six scores, after totaling 13 and 17 the previous two seasons, and the drop was definitely a fluke, as he was among the league leaders in goal line opportunities. Now there are some indicators that Cook wasn’t quite himself in 2021. He ranked as just the No. 42 RB per PFF, with legitimately poor receiving and pass blocking grades. That kind of stuff could lead to him being on the field less on passing downs, and hurting his value through the air. But it is a minor concern for now, and with normal touchdown output he should deliver on this late first round ADP with ease.
Adam Thielen, WR (ADP: 72): Thielen’s stock is on the decline these days, due to his age (turning 32), some injuries, and a drop in receptions and yardage. Thielen was productive in 2021, but it was more on the back of his 10 touchdowns. As the WR29 off the board, there’s some value here. While Jefferson is obviously going to dominate target share, this passing game is a two-man show, so Thielen is still going to have a healthy amount of looks. He’s also proven he can consistently score touchdowns, having notched 14 and 10, respectively, the past two campaigns. Thielen remains nearly uncoverable one-on-one, and defenses can’t afford to double him with Jefferson on the other side, so Thielen will once again return value unless his skills suddenly erode a great deal.
Kirk Cousins, QB (ADP: 113): Cousins isn’t a player who excites anyone, but he’s quietly been among the more prolific passers in football for a while now, and that’s in an offense that prioritized the run game heavily. Cousins doesn’t run, so that means big passing yardage, a lot of touchdowns, and efficient touchdown rates are necessary to be valuable. Cousins delivered that in 2020; he threw for 4,221 yards, 33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. Cousins has been over 4,200 passing yards in four of his five seasons with the Vikings and has thrown 33 or more in each of the past two. There’s no reason for that to change in 2022, as his core skill players are all returning, and in a new offense he may even be allowed to throw the ball more. The numbers are no fluke, as PFF graded him their No. 6 QB in 2021, so he’s a wonderful option for those who like to eschew the early QBs and grab consistent performers with big weekly upside much later.
Fantasy Relevant (121-200 ADP)
Alexander Mattison, RB (ADP: 112): I’m not one to recommend drafting handcuffs generally, because they eat up a valuable roster spot, and you usually are hoping you never play them, because it means the superior option on your team isn’t available. Mattison is a rare exception, both because he is a quality RB who, if he had the opportunity, would be a big contributor, and because Dalvin Cook always misses some time. Last season Mattison saw a dip in his yards per carry down to 3.7, but he put up production in games he saw work. Mattison received 20+ carries three times, eclipsing 100 rushing yards twice, and putting up 90 and a touchdown in the other one. Mattison should absolutely be a priority for Cook managers.
Irv Smith, TE (ADP: 157): Smith has hype once again, and once again I don’t really get it. He’s a fine athlete, but in his first two seasons he’s failed to put up fantasy relevant production on any consistent basis, and now he has a thumb injury expected to sideline him all of camp. He’s talented, but this passing game is a two-headed monster, with Cook likely to be the third banana ahead of Smith. The cost isn’t prohibitive, so a gamble at this ADP won’t kill anyone’s team, but there are greater volume opportunities to be had at the position even later than this.
Sleeper Class (200 & later)
K.J. Osborn, WR (ADP: 224): As covered with Smith, Osborn’s ceiling is significantly capped by the volume of touches that are monopolized by Jefferson, Cook and Thielen. Osborn balled out though when Thielen wasn’t on the field, scoring seven touchdowns on just 50 receptions. He’s talented for sure, and if an injury cracks open the door to some playing time, Osborn is well worth a waiver add. In very deep leagues, he’s a fine late-round lottery ticket.