Our Minnesota Vikings 2022 Fantasy Preview gives you the run down on the teams outlook going into the season. The Vikings decided to make a change of coaching staff, bringing in Kevin O’Connell from the Rams.
With the pieces the team has on offense, this should be a fun team for fantasy owners this season.
Notable Offseason Moves
Additions
- Johnny Mundt (TE)
- Albert Wilson (WR)
Departures
- Tyler Conklin (TE)
- Dede Westbrook (WR)
- Luke Stocker (TE)
Positional Previews
Notable Players- Kirk Cousins
Cousins is overlooked constantly when it comes to fantasy. And I get it. Cousins is consistent, but he isn’t really going to do massive things for your roster. The enternal bye week fill in, is probably a better way of describing him.
There are elite pieces on the offense- Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook, while Adam Thielen and Irv Smith should be good role players. Cousins is going to finish the season just outside of a QB1 most likely, and that is exactly how you should view him in your draft.
If you are in a single QB league, then give him a miss. If you are in a Superflex league, then he is a fine second QB option.
Notable Players- Dalvin Cook & Alexander Mattison
Dalvin Cook has long had an issue with injury derailing his seasons. Even though he missed some time, he still had a decent season for fantasy on the ground. Cook isn’t going to be among the top-scorers at the RB position, even if he were able to play a full season. The impact of Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen in the offense just tops off his ceiling for targets. Cook is a fine selection at the top of drafts, just make sure you have depth at the position.
As a result, Mattison is one of the guys to try and pick up in the middle of your drafts. He has been the direct backup for Dalvin Cook, and steps into a full workload when Cook is out. Mattison falls into a group where he doesn’t have flex appeal week to week, but should something happen to Cook, Mattison is an auto-start.
Notable Players- Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen & K.J. Osborn
The star in the offense is Jefferson. He had a phenominal rookie season, with 88 receptions, 1,400 yards and 7 TDs, then improved on it last season with 108 receptions, 1,616 yards and 10 TDs. Some of that production came during Adam Thielen being on the sidelines, but he still did it. Jefferson should be considered right at the top of drafts- he is one of the best fantasy options at the position.
Thielen should continue his role in the offense as the secondary receiving option, behind Jefferson. Thielen has become a red-zone and TD machine in recent seasons. The concern will be whether he can stay on the field, after suffering with injuries. If he manages to stay healthy for a full season, he has WR2 upside with the production he has displayed. Perfect WR to pick up if you went RB heavy at the top of your draft.
Osborn is the unknown here. He has shown his ability to get downfield and make big plays, evidenced by this 50 receptions for 655 yards and 7 TDs. Some of that was during the time with Thielen on the sidelines. But with a new offensive-minded coach, Osborn is a decent dart throw with your last pick in a draft.
Notable Players- Irv Smith
Smith seemed like he was going to be a breakout last season, before he suffered an injury in preseason that ended his year. But the reasons for liking him last year are very much there again.
The team have reduced TE competition, allowing Tyler Conklin to leave this offseason, putting Smith at the top of the depth chart. Smith is in all likelihood the third receiving option for the team, behind Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. But, the Vikings offense has enough passing volume to support him. A decent late-round selection in drafts with the upside of a TE1.
Strength of Schedule
Check out the rest of the draft kit. And, as always, if you want something more specific to your league- reach out! You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Image Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn – USA TODAY Sports
