This article continues off our team outlook series where we will breakdown each NFL team from a fantasy football perspective. We will cover the major changes on each team in the offseason and project what the team will do in the upcoming season.

Today we take a look at the Minnesota Vikings.

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Offseason Moves

Offseason Acquisitions: OG Alex Boone, FS Michael Griffin.

Offseason Departures: WR Mike Wallace.

 

Quarterback

The Vikings are entering year three of the Teddy Bridgewater experience in 2016. While his completion percentages have been solid for a young QB (64.4% and 65.3%), that’s pretty much all he has going for him. He’s thrown for only 14 touchdowns in each of his first two NFL seasons, as the Vikings appear content to let him manage the game without placing too much on his shoulders.

While some of this may be connected to an underwhelming group of pass-catchers around him, the truth seems to be that Mike Zimmer is focused on funneling the ball through their running game while Minnesota’s strong defense keeps a lid on opponents. Right now Teddy has an average ADP (per RotoBaller) of 170.8, being drafted as the QB22, which feels about right. Names like Robert Griffin, Jay Cutler and Joe Flacco, all of whom are after Bridgewater, have very good chances at outscoring Teddy if he doesn’t start generating more offense on his own.

 

Running Backs

There aren’t many offenses blessed with a superstar like Adrian Peterson. Even though “All Day” is 31 years old, he’s coming off a season where he led the NFL in rushing attempts (327), rushing yards (1,485) and had a share of the league lead in rushing TDs (11). He was clearly hungry after missing most of 2014, so his age technically belies the true “mileage” on his legs, though he certainly gets heavy volume. He’s currently rocking an average ADP of five, making him the second RB off of the board. That feels about right given his high floor and steady track record of production.

Behind Peterson is Jerick McKinnon, who is the clear handcuff to own in Minnesota. While his 52-271-2 line isn’t anything to write home about, the upside is clear (5.2 yards per carry is nice) should the opportunity present itself. He should be a solid late-round pick for owners who want security for their Peterson selection, or others who want to speculate in case Peterson goes down.

 

Wide Receivers

Charles Johnson was a buzzy sleeper pick heading into 2015, but never got a chance to put it together after breaking a rib on Sept. 27. He ended up recording only nine catches for 127 yards across 11 games. He’s healthy now though, and has been starting opposite Stefon Diggs to open the preseason after a strong offseason. All he did in Minnesota’s first preseason game was catch an impressive 49-yard strike for a touchdown, making him an intriguing late-round flier who doesn’t even have an ADP. Nice.

So how about that Diggs? Well, all he did last season was step up when Johnson went down and emerge as the Vikings clear #1 wide out to the tune of 52 catches for 720 yards and four TDs in 13 games (nine starts). Now he’s had a full offseason to work in as the “Z” receiver with Johnson healthy, and should be a nice option in PPR formats. He’s currently the WR40 in standard drafts with an ADP of 114.2, and WR45 with an ADP of 112.5 in PPR drafts. That’ll do.

Both of them are holding off first-round pick Laquon Treadwell, who by all accounts has not looked sharp throughout camp. He certainly has talent and should be scooped in dynasty formats, but this passing offense doesn’t generate enough volume to support a third receiver. He’s being drafted not long after Diggs with a standard ADP of 125, but don’t fall for this. The same goes for Jarius Wright, who might have some deep-league PPR value as the slot man, but last season’s 34-442-0 line in 16 games is not inspiring.

 

Tight End

The 22^nd TE off the board is Mr. Kyle Rudolph, holding an average ADP of 200.3 in standard leagues. His 49-495-5 line isn’t going to have anyone clamoring for his services, though people still hold onto that 2012 season when he caught 9 TDs in the back of their heads. Most fantasy owners can do better than hitching themselves to this situation because again, this passing game just doesn’t yield enough opportunity for a lot of value.

 

Defense

The Vikings have put together a solid defensive squad, with DT Sharrif Floyd and NT Linval Joseph forming a brick wall up the middle while DE Everson Griffen racked up 10.5 sacks and young stud Anthony Barr looked great at OLB. Tie in a secondary led by Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith and you’ve got a reliable unit on your hands that allowed the sixth-fewest points (300) with the seventh-most sacks (43).

If you play with special teams then you’re in even more luck, as they were the only team with three return TDs on the season. Cordarelle Patterson has become quite the kickoff returner despite his struggles as a WR, while DB Marcus Sherels is one of the best punt returners in the game.

 

Kicker

Many will hear the name “Blair Walsh” and remember his shanked field goal against the Seahawks in the playoffs, but this is still a guy who went 6-for-7 from 40-49 yards and 6-for-8 from 50+ in the regular season. His 34 field goals made last season were best in the league, and while that’s tough to project year-to-year, just remember that he’s quite capable in an offense that stalls quite a bit and tends to play in close ballgames. He’s the seventh kicker off of the board with an average ADP of 172.2, so he may slip into your hands assuming you’re a smart cookie who waits on a kicker.

 

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