Overall Fantasy Impact: Average
Offensive Outlook: Despite the league’s finest rushing attack, the Vikings ended in the middle of the pack in scoring.
The obvious reason: A pitiful passing attack that was 29th out of 32 NFL teams.
The addition of Bernard Berrian helps, but the onus for the passing game still falls on Tarvaris Jackson.
And if he doesn’t come through, how long until defenses lock down on Adrian Peterson, the Vikings lone fantasy stud?
QUARTERBACKS: The numbers for Jackson aren’t pretty, with just 9 TD passes in 12 games. However, he did show some signs late, as he racked up a combined 9 rushing and passing TDs in his last 6 games. Still, the Vikings apparent contact with Brett Favre can’t exactly be seen as a sign of confidence, no matter what team officials say to the contrary. Don’t take Jackson until you already have two solid quarterbacks on the roster.
Gus Frerotte is 37 years old, but he pulled off some big games in St. Louis last season and might be an option in the Vikes lose confidence in Jackson. Rookie John David Booty would probably only be a last resort, at least this year.
RUNNING BACKS: Peterson’s numbers as a rookie last year (1341 yards and 12 rushing TDs, both 2nd-best in the league) are even scarier considering that he missed 2 games to injury, had more than 20 carries in a game just 6 times, and had 4 games with less than 50 yards. Assuming he takes a little more of the load in his second year and gets a little help from the passing game, 1,800 yards is a modest estimate. His ability to break long runs (5.6 yards per carry in ‘07) is reminiscent of Barry Sanders, who was about half Peterson’s size. He should go in the first five picks of any fantasy draft.
Chester Taylor’s 844 yards and 7 TDs were solid for a back-up running back, as was an excellent 5.4 yards per carry. He’ll get less carries this year as Peterson takes over, but the Vikes are wise enough to realize the benefit of resting their meal ticket, so Taylor should still have fantasy value as a third or fourth back. Maurice Hicks should get looks as the 3rd-down specialist, but not enough to make him worth a pick.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Berrian had a career-high 951 yards last year in a rather weak Chicago passing attack. Jackson does have a big arm, so Berrian’s deep-ball skills should be utilized well. It’s hard to imagine him going too crazy in this run-oriented attack, but he’d be a decnt No.3 receiver who might get just shy of 1,000 yards receiving.
Sidney Rice will likely start in his second year. He does a nice job in the red zone and isn’t a bad pick at the end of the draft. Bobby Wade catches a lot of passes with very little impact, and veteran Robert Ferguson and second-year man Aundrae Allison also are on board. None of that trio has much fantasy value.
Visanthe Shiancoe was a disappointment in his first year in Minnesota, and there are enough good tight ends in the league that you don’t need to gamble on him improving.