Vikings Futures (Super Bowl +4000, NFC Champion +2000, Division +300)
2021 Record: 8-9
Key Additions / Departures
| Signings / Resignings | Notable Draft Picks | Departures | |||
| Edge | Za’Darius Smith | S | Lewis Cine | S | Xavier Woods |
| LB | Jordan Hicks | CB | Andrew Booth Jr. | OL | Mason Cole |
| DL | Harrison Phillips | G | Ed Ingram | TE | Tyler Conklin |
| K | Greg Joseph | LB | Brian Asamoah | LB | Nick Vigil |
Offensive Depth Charts (with Phantasia Sports ADP Rankings – PPR)
| 2021 | 2022 | |
| QB | Kirk Cousins | Kirk Cousins (118) |
| RB | Dalvin Cook | Dalvin Cook (8) |
| WR1 | Justin Jefferson | Justin Jefferson (5) |
| WR2 | Adam Thielen | Adam Thielen (62) |
| WR3 | KJ Osborn | KJ Osborn (162) |
| WR4 | Ihmir Smith-Marsette | Ihmir Smith-Marsette (281) |
| TE | Tyler Conklin | Irv Smith Jr. (150) |
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THE GOOD
(1) 68.9% completion percentage. 4,115 yards. 37 touchdowns. 4 interceptions. 111.9 QB rating.
(2) 66.3% completion percentage. 4,221 yards. 33 touchdowns. 7 interceptions. 103.1 QB rating.
Both of these players play in the NFC North. Number one are the statistics of reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers. The second? Kirk Cousins. In the last four years with the Vikings, Kirk Cousins has been really good and nobody is talking about it. He’s basically achieving borderline MVP numbers but all anyone can ever talk about is that he notoriously finds a way to lose all those primetime games. I am expecting yet again another step forward from 3rd-year player Justin Jefferson. I’m talking a “please get your shares in for Jefferson to lead the league in receptions and yards this season” kind of step. In his stints with Washington and Los Angeles, both Jordan Reid and Tyler Higbee posted career highs in a Wes Phillips led tight end room and I’m expecting Irv Smith Jr to step in as the starter and follow suit.
THE BAD
If you’re a Vikings fan, I would advise you to close your eyes because it only gets worse from here. Last year with defensive-minded coach Mike Zimmer, the Vikings ranked bottom eight in the league in almost every defensive statistic. 27th against the run. 25th in pass defense. 25th in points allowed. 27th in total yards allowed. The Vikings blamed their struggles on Zimmer’s conservative play-calling but this defense is extremely concerning. Minnesota has since moved on from longtime contributors Linval Jones, Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Anthony Harris the last few off-season’s and have yet to find contributors to step in.
THE UGLY
Let’s dig deeper. What if I told you one stat that would have left the Vikings with a 15-2 record in 2021?
Yes, I said there was a way the Vikings could have finished 2021 with a final record of 15-2. If the Vikings wouldn’t have given up any points in the final 4 minutes before halftime or at the end of the game in 2021, the Vikings would have finished 15-2 (with their first loss coming in Week 16). Minnesota allowed TDs on 32.4% of opponent drives in the final 4 minutes before halftime or the end of the game. This was the worst in the NFL. The NFL average was 12%. The 31st team in this statistic, the Houston Texans, were 20.6%. Not only did they rank 32nd in the NFL last season, but of 686 teams measured in this category since 2000, the 2021 Minnesota Vikings ranked 686th. The 2021 Minnesota Vikings were the worst two-minute defense in the NFL in the last 21 years (I was 9 years old since the last time they weren’t).
Viking fans — lay off Cousins this year and pay attention to that last stat.
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UNDERDOG FANTASY TOP BEST BALL STACKS
| Justin Jefferson | ADP 3.3 – Round 1 |
| Kirk Cousins | ADP 117.9 – Round 9 |
| Irv Smith Jr. | ADP 137.5 – Round 11 |
| KJ Osborn | ADP 144.3 – Round 11/12 |
| Dalvin Cook / Adam Thielen | *Note: We are lower on Thielen than the market when it comes to approaching best ball. When it comes to Cook, our focus is on the passing game and would rather have Jefferson in the first round. |
