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 […]

Chad Beebe Has One Catch In Victory

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Chad Beebe caught one of two targets for seven yards in Sunday's win over the Seattle Seahawks. Beebe played just 12 offensive snaps in the game and has seemed to emerge as the favorite for the third receiver role behind Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Jordan Taylor and Brandon Zylstra remain […]

Alexander Mattison Tallies 10 Carries

Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Alexander Mattison had a solid game on Sunday night, rushing 10 times for 41 yards operating as the lead back in starter Dalvin Cook's absence. Mattison also caught 1-of-2 targets for four receiving yards before exiting the contest. Mattison's preseason usage and training camp buzz have indicated that he's the […]

Laquon Treadwell "Showcased" On Sunday Night

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell played 27 snaps in Sunday's win over the Seattle Seahawks, a team-high among wide receivers. He performed well, catching 4-of-4 targets for 47 yards while playing most of his snaps with third-string quarterback Kyle Sloter in the second half of the contest. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, after the […]

Kyle Rudolph Quiet In Limited Action

Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph didn't play much on Sunday, but he managed to reel in his only target for a gain of 11 yards in the first quarter. Rudolph was out-shined by rookie Irv Smith Jr. in this game (five catches for 28 yards and a touchdown), but we need to remember to […]

Stefon Diggs Targeted Once On Sunday

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs saw limited action on Sunday night against the Seattle Seahawks, hauling in his one target for six receiving yards in the contest. The lack of target share in the offense is not a concern for Diggs - he finished with 149 targets (just four behind Adam Thielen) to go […]

Adam Thielen Has Efficient Outing In Win

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen was his usual dependable self on Sunday, snagging all three of his targets for 45 yards in limited action with the first-team offense. Thielen made a nice over-the-shoulder grab for 34 yards in the first quarter and drew a pass interference penalty on a deep ball the very next […]

Dalvin Cook Doesn't Play on Sunday Night

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook was listed as active but didn't see the field on Sunday night against the Seattle Seahawks. Cook was held out of last week's contest as well - the Vikings are being extra cautious with their third-year back during the preseason as he has struggled to stay healthy early in […]

Irv Smith Jr. Snags Touchdown In Impressive Game

Minnesota Vikings rookie tight end Irv Smith Jr. had an impressive night on Sunday, at least as far as preseason games go. Smith Jr. caught all five of his targets for 28 yards and a touchdown, and he looks firmly entrenched as the Vikings top backup option at the tight end spot. It's never a […]

Kirk Cousins Solid Against Seahawks

Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback Kirk Cousins was efficient in limited action on Sunday night, going 6-for-8 for 68 yards passing and leading the Vikings to a Dan Bailey 24-yard field goal in the first quarter. Cousins showed nice poise in the pocket and delivered a few beautiful deep balls to Adam Thielen before being pulled […]

Laquon Treadwell Put On Trade Block

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell has been put on the trading block, according to Albert Breer of SI.com. This has to be among the most unsurprising news coming out of Vikings training camp, as the 2016 first-round pick has been extremely disappointing despite receiving plenty of opportunities (one career touchdown, 61.5% catch rate) the […]

Alexander Mattison Shows Well In Debut

Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Alexander Mattison put up a solid effort on Friday night, carrying nine times for 30 yards and catching 1-of-2 targets for a one-yard receiving touchdown in the victory. The touchdown came on a well-executed play-action pass from starting quarterback Kirk Cousins in the game's opening drive. He was outplayed by […]

Kirk Cousins Perfect In Preseason Debut

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins was only given one drive to show off on Friday night, and he took full advantage of the opportunity. Cousins was 4-for-4 for 65 yards and a touchdown, throwing a one-yard score to Alexander Mattison following catches by Adam Thielen and Kyle Rudolph. The offense was very efficient on the […]

Irv Smith Jr. Being Moved Around Formation

Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. recently told ESPN's Courtney Cronin that the Vikings are getting creative with his usage in the passing game, lining him up out wide and even in the backfield on occasion. The rookie second-rounder was listed as the second tight end on the team's first unofficial depth chart, and […]

Roberto Osuna Picks Up 25th Save

Houston Astros closer Roberto Osuna fired a scoreless ninth inning to notch his 25th save in a 3-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. Osuna didn't allow a hit and struck out one in the inning, needing just 14 pitches to get the job done. He has been a bit shaky since the All-Star […]

Justin Verlander Cruises To 15th Win

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander threw six innings, allowed just one run off of three hits, and struck out 10 batters en route to a 3-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. Verlander walked just one batter in the contest and displayed excellent control, aside from one mistake in the 7th inning that […]

Kirk Cousins Solid Option at ADP

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins had the best year of his career in 2018, tallying 4,298 passing yards, a 30/10 TD/INT ratio, and a sparkling 70.1% completion percentage. However, Cousins finished the year as QB13, and there seems to be a consensus that the Vikings will shift to a run-centric approach in 2019 (after finishing […]

Alexander Mattison Solid Late-Round Handcuff

Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Alexander Mattison could offer some intriguing value in the late rounds of 2019 fantasy drafts, both for his handcuff status behind the oft-injured Dalvin Cook and for his standalone value in what looks to be a more balanced offense this season. Run-game-guru Gary Kubiak recently said that Mattison has "shown […]

Dalvin Cook Primed For Breakout Season

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook has had an up-and-down start to his career. Drafted as a second-round pick out of Florida State, Cook played in just four games his rookie season before tearing his ACL, and his 2018 was plagued by nagging hamstring issues that cost him five games. Notably, Cook had just three […]