Thanks for checking out our first article in our 2021 Team Preview series. We will be breaking down the outlook for teams in 2021, key acquisitions during the off-season and through the 2021 NFL Draft, key losses, and looking at each team from a dynasty perspective. We’ll give you some players to consider buying, selling, stashing, and potential sleeper candidates. Stay tuned for more team breakdowns as we approach the 2021 NFL season. Here is our 2021 Team Preview: Minnesota Vikings.
2021 Outlook
The Vikings are coming into the 2021 season looking to improve on their 7-9 record from last year. Dalvin Cook did everything he could, averaging 137 scrimmage yards per game along with 17 touchdowns in 14 games played. Justin Jefferson had a record-breaking debut to the NFL with his 1,400 receiving yards while Adam Thielen scored a career-high 14 touchdowns. With inconsistency on the offensive line and a more-or-less battered defense, the Vikings knew where they had to improve for their upcoming slate of games.
Key Acquisitions/Losses
Minnesota beefed up their o-line by adding OT Christian Darrisaw and OG Wyatt Davis via the 2021 NFL Draft. Both players could play immediately and immediately improve the team’s run blocking, after the departure of veteran OT Riley Reiff. After putting up 1,557 rushing yards in 14 games with a less-than-stellar line last season, Cook will assuredly eclipse that total in a 17 game season behind one of the youngest fronts in the NFL. Kirk Cousins will likely get a proficiency bump, too, as he’ll likely have more time for receiver routes to develop instead of having to make quick throws. Thielen and Jefferson are one of the top wide receiver tandems in the league with Irv Smith Jr. making an attractive third option on passing plays.
The addition of veterans Patrick Peterson, Xavier Woods, and Dalvin Tomlinson – as well as Michael Pierce from his 2020 opt-out, will provide experience and depth for this defense. The Vikings should have a much easier time keeping games close and perhaps flipping those three games from 2020 in which they lost by three or fewer points. A better defense makes for a better offense, especially in the running game.
Dynasty Quick Hits
Buy Low: Tyler Conklin
Just hear me out for a second. For the most part, there are just a few players who you can regularly rely on from Minnesota for fantasy purposes. The Vikings don’t have an established third receiver or a running back other than Cook who will see much usage on the offense. Conklin had a little burst at the end of 2020. In the last four games, he caught 15 of 21 targets for 168 receiving yards and a touchdown. Obviously not Travis Kelce numbers, but solid for most NFL tight ends. With Kyle Rudolph leaving for New York, Conklin will see a lot of time on the field in 12 personnel (2 TEs and 1 RB) formations.
He’s a player to look at in TE-premium leagues, leagues with much deeper rosters and best ball formats for depth. While most dynasty owners are paying up for Irv Smith Jr., Conklin is very cheap. Of course, if the Vikings bring in a veteran receiver like Larry Fitzgerald or Golden Tate, you can throw this all out the window.
Sell High: Justin Jefferson
Without a doubt, Jefferson produced one of the greatest rookie wide receiver performances ever. His 1,400 receiving yards were the second-most by any rookie (1,473 yards by Bill Groman in 1960) and his 15.9 yards per catch was the highest by any rookie with more than 72 catches, as he had 88. Alas, the Vikings are a run-first team. Head coach Mike Zimmer runs a game plan to control the clock through a stout defense and a successful ground game. With a more potent OL, the Vikings will not need to rely on passing as much, reducing the opportunities for all pass catchers.
Jefferson is currently being drafted at the end of the 2nd to the early 3rd round in redraft and best ball formats. With fewer targets, it’s not likely that he will live up to his current stock. I’m not saying Jefferson will flop this year, but his price is higher than where he will likely finish. It’s worth considering right now, given the fact that you might be able to sell Jefferson for just about anyone you want.
Sleeper: Irv Smith Jr.
Yes, I just went on about how there will likely be fewer passing attempts for Minnesota this year. But there’s one thing that negates this scenario for Smith Jr. and that’s the departure of Kyle Rudolph. Over the past four seasons, Rudolph averaged 62 targets per year. That’s a healthy amount of vacated targets and Smith Jr. should see at least that many opportunities in 2021 as the Vikings will likely be running a lot of 12 personnel formations. The former 2nd round pick is the de facto third receiver for this offense going forward. He’s got all the skills and intangibles to be a great tight end in the NFL.
Stash: Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Minnesota addressed a need at the wide receiver position in the 5th round of the 2021 NFL Draft with a speedy guy from Iowa. Smith-Marsette, with some time and tutelage, could grow into a fine receiver. He needs to bulk up a bit, but his speed and agility will make him a viable deep threat in future seasons. I don’t expect much from him right off the bat. He has the same draft capital as another former Vikings wideout you may have heard of: Stefon Diggs. He’s definitely worth taking a shot on in the 4th round of your dynasty rookie drafts.
Written by: Benjamin Ditlevson @FFRabbitDad
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