Dalvin Cook An RB1 Play In Week 2

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook looked great in Week 1, rushing 21 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns in a dominant 28-12 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He added two receptions for nine yards. Cook finished RB5 in half-PPR leagues, showing off elite explosiveness and vision in the Vikings new zone-blocking scheme. He's […]

Kirk Cousins A Low-End QB2 Against Packers

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins was a fantasy disappointment in Week 1, passing for just 98 yards on a career-low 10 attempts against the Falcons. His low-usage was due to the Vikes being up early, and it's far more likely that Cousins will need to throw more against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2. […]

Kyle Rudolph Not Involved In Week 1

Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph was very quiet on Sunday, failing to haul in his only target in the 28-12 win. The Vikings held an early lead and featured a run-heavy attack all afternoon, which resulted in Kirk Cousins throwing just 10 times for 98 yards in the game. Though Rudolph played every offensive snap, […]

Alexander Mattison Efficient On Limited Touches

Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Alexander Mattison had himself a nice NFL debut, rushing nine times for 49 yards (5.4 YPC) in the Vikings 28-12 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Mattison didn't see any targets, but his nine attempts were an encouraging sign as he operated as Dalvin Cook's backup in a game dominated by […]

Minnesota Vikings Defense Impressive In Debut

The Minnesota Vikings Defense started the 2019 season on a very positive note, registering four sacks, two interceptions, one fumble recovery, and a blocked kick en route to a 28-12 victory against the Atlanta Falcons. Safety Anthony Harris snagged both of the interceptions, and the Vikings had the Falcons under pressure all afternoon. The Vikes […]

Stefon Diggs Quiet In Sunday's Win

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (hamstring) had a low-key game on Sunday, catching both of his targets for 37 yards in the 28-12 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Quarterback Kirk Cousins only threw 10 times for 98 passing yards, so Diggs' lack of production was more a result of the Vikes commitment to the run […]

Adam Thielen Notches Touchdown In Victory

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen led the receiving corps on Sunday, snagging all three of his targets for 43 yards and the team's only receiving touchdown. Thielen managed to come away from this game with a usable fantasy line despite quarterback Kirk Cousins passing for only 98 yards, which has to be considered a […]

Kirk Cousins Posts Modest Line In Win

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins was 8-for-10 passing for 98 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, adding six carries for four yards and a rushing touchdown. Cousins was not required to throw much - the Vikings got out to an early lead and Dalvin Cook mostly took over from there. However, the 10 passing attempts […]

Dalvin Cook Goes Off Against Falcons

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook had a huge game on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, rushing 21 times for 111 yards (5.3 YPC) and two rushing touchdowns. He also added two catches for nine yards in the Vikings 28-12 victory. The Vikings offensive line was opening up holes all day for Cook, who routinely […]

Minnesota Vikings Defense Not In Great Week 1 Spot

The Minnesota Vikings Defense have a tough task ahead of them as they take on the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1's tilt. The Falcons, who ranked sixth in yards-per-game and 10th in points-per-game in 2018, have a dangerous offense featuring Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and a healthy Devonta Freeman. The Vikings have an […]

Kyle Rudolph Not A Recommended Option In Week 1

Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph is not a recommended play against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1's contest. The Falcons, despite being susceptible to the pass, only allowed six tight ends to eclipse 9.8 points in 2018. Rudolph remains the Vikings starting tight end, but rookie Irv Smith Jr. looms as a receiving threat […]

Adam Thielen A Low-End WR1 Against Falcons

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen tied the NFL record for consecutive 100-yard receiving games in 2018, and he'll look to get off to a hot start on Sunday afternoon against the Falcons. Though the Vikings may be looking to feature a more balanced offense this year, Thielen is a great candidate for 8-10 targets […]

Dalvin Cook A Top-Tier RB1 Against Falcons

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is primed for a big game to start the season, squaring off against an Atlanta Falcons Defense that got absolutely crushed by running backs in 2018. The Falcons allowed 10 top-10 finishes by running backs last year, and have been notorious for allowing tons of receiving yardage to the […]

Stefon Diggs Misses Practice On Wednesday

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (hamstring) was held out of practice on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. Head coach Mike Zimmer said he anticipated he'd play on Sunday, but this is a situation to monitor closely leading up to game day. Diggs, assuming full health, is an upside WR2-play against an Atlanta Falcons […]

Dan Bailey A Decent Option In Week 1

Minnesota Vikings kicker Dan Bailey survived the Kaare Vedvik experiment and remains the team's starter at the position. Bailey had a shaky 2018 season with the Vikes, hitting just 5-of-11 field goals from 40 yards or more and registering a subpar 75% field goal percentage. His career average is 86.6%, but Bailey has been statistically […]

Kirk Cousins Worth A Look As Week 1 Streamer

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins could be a sneaky play in Week 1, squaring off at home against an Atlanta Falcons Defense that was obliterated in 2018. The Falcons defense finished 27th in passing yards allowed per game, which translated to them being the fourth most-favorable matchup for opposing fantasy quarterbacks. They return a few […]

Josh Doctson Signs One-Year Deal With Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings agreed to a one-year deal with former first-rounder Josh Doctson on Monday, filling their wide receiver core after keeping just four at the roster deadline. Doctson, the 22nd pick in the same draft as recently released Laquon Treadwell, hasn't had a great start to his career but did have his best season […]

Alexander Mattison (RB, MIN) - Rookie Running Back Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~130 Overall Current ADP: ~150 ANALYSIS: Latavius Murray is stepping into the Mark Ingram role with the Saints and he's being drafted at RB34. Alexander Mattison, a rookie third-rounder out of Boise State, steps into the Latavius Murray role with the Vikes...but he's RB55? What gives? Latavius Murray finished RB32 (2018) and RB20 […]

Darwin Thompson (RB, KC) - Rookie Running Back Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~100 Overall Current ADP: ~120 ANALYSIS: When it comes to guys moving up draft boards, take a look at rookie sixth-rounder Darwin Thompson from Utah State. Thompson had great numbers in his one year playing DI football, notching a 6.8 yards-per-carry average and totaling 14 rushing touchdowns in his junior year as […]

Analyzing Value in the 2019 Rookie RB Class (Part 3)

This article will serve as a deep-dive into the current state of the 2019 rookie running back class and determine which players are potential “value” draft picks in accordance with their average draft position. It may seem like an obvious topic to research in fantasy football, but there are plenty of examples of first-year running […]

Analyzing Value in the 2019 Rookie RB Class (Part 2)

This article will serve as a deep-dive into the current state of the 2019 rookie running back class and determine which players are potential “value” draft picks in accordance with their average draft position. It may seem like an obvious topic to research in fantasy football, but there are plenty of examples of first-year running […]

Analyzing Value in the 2019 Rookie RB Class (Part 1)

Last year was a particularly great year for rookie rushers, and it served as a reminder for how important it is to get familiar with these backs. Let's analyze the 2019 rookie running back class by considering college statistics, training camp chatter, preseason usage, and projected roles heading into the season. If recent history tells […]

Jordan Taylor Released By Vikings

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Taylor reportedly had the inside track for the third receiver role during organized team activities back in May, but he didn't show much of anything during the preseason and was released on Tuesday. As it stands, Chad Beebe, Olabisi Johnson and Brandon Zylstra appear to be the preferred options at wide […]

Laquon Treadwell A Non-Factor In Victory

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell didn't improve his chances at securing a roster spot on Saturday, failing to catch his only target in a 20-9 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Treadwell was "showcased" in the previous preseason game, but he failed to make any type of impact in what was a poor showing for […]

Chad Beebe Quiet In Third Preseason Game

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Chad Beebe was held without a catch on Saturday despite seeing three targets. All indications are still pointing toward Beebe being the lead dog for the Vikings third receiver spot, though Olabisi Johnson, Jordan Taylor, and Brandon Zylstra remain in the mix with one preseason game left to play. It could […]

Kyle Rudolph Held Without Catch

Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph had a quiet game on Saturday, failing to haul in a catch and registering just one target in the contest. Rudolph is the starting tight end for the Vikings, but rookie Irv Smith Jr. could have a role as a receiving threat and Rudolph has disappointed in the past […]

Stefon Diggs Catches Two Passes In Win

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs caught two of four targets for 28 yards on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals. Diggs played the majority of the first half, though the offense was out of sorts as starting quarterback Kirk Cousins was 3-for-13 passing for just 35 yards. The Vikings have been committed to being more […]

Mike Boone The Preseason Rushing Leader After Three Weeks

Minnesota Vikings running back Mike Boone is doing everything he possibly can to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, and his performance on Saturday against the Cardinals definitely helped his cause. Boone rushed 10 times for 41 yards and a touchdown, while he also caught his only target and continues to play a role […]

Linval Joseph A Full Participant At Practice

Minnesota Vikings run-stuffing defensive tackle Linval Joseph was a full participant in practice on Tuesday, his first full practice since recovering from offseason surgery. Joseph is an elite interior defender, and his return undoubtedly boosts the prospects of the Vikings defense. This is a deep and talented defensive roster at all three levels with lots […]

Dan Bailey Hits One Field Goal In Win

Minnesota Vikings kicker Dan Bailey only had a few chances on Sunday night but he made them count, knocking in a 24-yard field goal in the first quarter and an extra point in the third. Newcomer Kaare Vedvik was brought in for an extra point in the fourth quarter, and there's a non-zero chance that […]