Team Needs
1. Cornerback
2. Center
3. Running Back
Despite several resources being poured into the cornerback room (7 draft picks 2018-2022), the cupboard still looks thin especially if they lost their top dog Peterson. They have been bottom three in yards per pass attempt allowed each of the past 3 seasons.
Key FA: CB Patrick Peterson, OC Garrett Bradbury, RB Alexander Mattison
Check out our initial CB review here:
https://youtu.be/aS9n0Zo5tzQ
Depth Chart Fantasy Impact
The Vikings’ 2021 skill-position core returns largely intact this season. That includes budding superstar WR Justin Jefferson, who followed a 1,400-yard rookie season with 1,616 yards last year. WR Adam Thielen is also back. He turns 32 in August and has missed 11 games over the past 3 seasons. But he’s racked up 30 TDs over that stretch, including 24 across the last 2 years. K.J. Osborn figures to stick as the #3 WR after posting a 50-655-7 line in 2021.
Dalvin Cook returns to lead the backfield after running for 1,159 yards and 6 scores in 13 games last year. He’s missed multiple games in all 5 of his NFL seasons, though. That makes #2 RB Alexander Mattison a key figure. He averaged 130 total yards in 4 starts in place of Cook last year.
2021 lead TE Tyler Conklin parlayed a 593-yard season into a 3-year, $20 million deal with the Jets. He’ll be replaced by TE Irv Smith, who missed all of last season after tearing a meniscus in August. The 2019 2nd-round pick opened his pro career with 36-311-2 and 30-365-5 lines. New HC Kevin O’Connell said in May that Smith will be a “major part of what we do.”
The Vikings return 4 of 5 starters on the offensive line, with former Dolphin Jesse Davis expected to replace Olisaemeka Udoh at RG. Davis has made 72 NFL starts.
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