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Minnesota Vikings Fantasy Profile
The Vikings have a young and upcoming team that proved to be better than expected last year. Even without their star running back, Adrian Peterson, the Vikings showed that they have a lot to look forward to in years to come.
With that being said, the Vikings will get Adrian Peterson back this coming season and could be the surprise team of the NFC North. AP will free up every other position, which will create fantasy impact. The addition of Mike Wallace doesn’t hurt either. It finally gives Teddy a receiver he can get the ball down field too. I think everyone in Minnesota was tired of the old-aged Greg Jennings.
The single most important fantasy player for the Vikings this coming season is Adrian Peterson. If he can return to any type of form as he once was, well… better watch out. The talent and tools are there for the Vikings to contend for a wild card playoff birth. It’s time to show what SKOL is all about. Let’s break it down.
QB Teddy Bridgewater
Bridgewater took the reigns and ran with it last year. He put up solid rookie numbers, and managed the offense very effectively for a rookie. That’s a huge upside when it comes to Bridgewater. He has the dual threat capabilities that fantasy owners lust over. I don’t believe that Bridgewater is going to have anything close to a sophomore slump this coming season, especially with Peterson in the backfield once again. Not only do the Vikings have Peterson back, but they also went out and got Bridgewater a legit number one wide out in Mike Wallace. Just with these two players alone, Bridgewater will get a lot room to operate. Opposing teams have to worry about Peterson in the backfield, which will most likely lead to 8 stacked in the box. In turn, this than leads to single coverage for the deep ball threat that Mike Wallace brings. Now, I wouldn’t go as far in saying that I would draft him as my number one quarterback, but I would definitely snag him in the late rounds as my backup. You should be able to count on solid play from Bridgewater during your other quarterback’s buy week. You might even consider tinkering with your line-up, contemplating to insert him as the starter sometimes. Expect Bridgewater to put up significantly better numbers than he did last year. His numbers should be around 3,200-3,500 passing yards with about 16 touchdowns and 12 Interceptions. I wouldn’t be surprised if he added another 250-300 yards on the ground with 2 touchdowns.
Position Grade: C+
RB Adrian Peterson
Big daddy is back and ready to roll. After sitting out the entire 2014 season, Peterson must be itching to prove to the world that he still has it. In all leagues, you can count on Peterson being drafted within the first 5 picks. Yes, there is some risk involved because he is 30 years old, and he has taken a year off. When running backs get up there in age, it’s always risky. You never know when father time will send them into a downward spiral. However, I find minimal risk at most. Let’s take a glance into the past for a second. In 2011, Peterson tore his ACL and everyone thought that was it. He then came back and rushed for over 2,000 yards. Probably one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. The reality is this: Peterson is a freak of nature when it comes to football. Critics and fantasy owners shouldn’t count him out. He will single-handedly be able to carry your team to the promise land this coming season. AP should bounce back in 2015 with some crazy numbers. Don’t be surprised when he rushes for 1,500 yards with 10 Touchdowns along with 350 yards receiving with 4 touchdowns. This man will be a fantasy workhorse.
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Position Grade: A
WR Mike Wallace
Mike Wallace produced solid numbers for a WR2 in fantasy leagues. He caught fire in the red zone for the majority of the season. He didn’t produce too much with receiving yards, but still productive. He and Ryan Tannehill really got into a rhythm down in Miami. He brings the deep ball threat that the Vikings so desperately need. He is coming to a situation where the quarterback is young, and has the possibility of making significant mistakes. The good thing for Wallace is that Peterson is playing. Like I said earlier, this will free Wallace up on the outside with single coverage. If Bridgewater can produce some good toss ups his way, he could be in for another fair year. I don’t seeing him producing better than WR2 numbers. Ideally, I think he would be a great flex play from week to week if owners could snag a more talented WR2 in their drafts. There is too much risk to reach on a guy like Wallace, but if he falls to you in the late rounds, don’t feel bad for settling with him. Norv Turner should be able to create a lot of ways of getting Wallace opportunities. I don’t see Wallace producing more than 900 yards receiving with 5 touchdowns. Overall, I would say that he will have minimal fantasy impact for your team.
Position Grade: C-
TE Kyle Rudolph
All I hear about this guy every year is that he will be the dark horse fantasy owners need to watch out for. I don’t buy this at all. He’s been nothing but a huge bust his entire NFL career and I don’t see that changing this upcoming season. The Vikings have a lot more weapons at other positions that they could get the ball to rather than Rudolph. I would strongly recommend that he not be picked on fantasy teams. If he ends up getting hot, then owners can acquire him off the waiver wire, but other than that, stay away from Kyle Rudolph.
Position grade: F
Sleeper Fantasy Pick: WR Charles Johnson
Towards the end of last season, Johnson was turning heads. He started producing significant numbers to where fantasy owners were hitting the waiver wire trying to steal this guy. He ended up with a little over 400 yards receiving, and I could see him doubling that number this coming season. Turner should get Johnson the ball in the open field more after seeing what he could do last season. We all saw the connection that Bridgewater had with him as well. There is a lot of upside with Johnson if he can get his touches. I wouldn’t be shocked if he ended up being the number one receiver in Minnesota by years end. I would definitely recommend stashing this guy on your bench.
Position Grade: D+
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