The Fantasy Football off-season is upon us, and we here at F6P have got your back. Join us in the following weeks as we go through the NFL bringing you team-by-team fantasy previews. Today's edition: 2023 Fantasy Football Minnesota Vikings Preview.
The NFC North Champs are coming off a 13-4 season but have but went through a bit of an overhaul in the offseason. Gone are vets Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook as the Vikings are trying to shift to a bit of a youth movement.
In 2023, the Vikings' offense was top ten in points per game (24.9) and total points (424), The offense, despite the loss of Cook and Thielen should still produce fantasy-relevant players. Justin Jefferson remains one of the top players in the game, TJ Hockenson produced well after his mid-season trade to the Vikings and Alexander Mattison should handle all he can in the backfield.
Let's get into it.
2023 Fantasy Football Minnesota Vikings Preview
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Quarterback
Kick Cousin statistically will never really blow anyone away, but he is at least consistent and durable. He had a 29:14 TD-to-INT ratio last season while completing 65% of his passes. The touchdowns did take a bit over the previous season and his INTs so there is some concern there.
Overall, if you miss out on one of the top QB studs early on, Cousins is a decent option. You know what you are going to get week to week and most weeks he will not hurt you. He is the perfect QB to pair with a high-upside rookie on your roster.
Running Backs
Alexander Mattison is RB30 (76th overall) according to FantasyPros PPR ADP
Too high? Too low? Just right?pic.twitter.com/rPXldlxbQ4
— David Mendelson (@DMendy02) June 15, 2023
The fantasy community will finally get to see what Mattison can do with the backfield all to himself. He enters the season as the workhorse back and should not leave the field on third downs.
The fifth-year vet out of Boise State could very well reach double-digit touchdowns. He is a receiving threat out of the backfield and has shown a knack for making tacklers miss.
I think there are some questions still as to how he will perform so I am not sure I am comfortable drafting him as my RB1, but I am perfectly fine rolling him out as my RB2 weekly.
Wide Receivers
first round Wide Receivers to post 26.0+ PPG at 19 Years Old ??
?Dez Bryant
?Ja’Marr Chase
?Michael Crabtree
?Jordan Addisonnow Jordan Addison joins an offense that just finished THIRD in passing volume
WHEELS UP? pic.twitter.com/cdO6Fym3Dx
— DynastyIM (@dynasty_im) June 20, 2023
Justin Jefferson is one of the top two, if not the top wide receiver in the game. His numbers yearly are off the charts. There is an argument for him going first overall in redraft PPR leagues. Jefferson is a set him in your lineup and never take him out type of player. He led the league in both receptions and yards, as well as averaging over 100 yards per game.
If you want to roster a WR not named Jefferson on this team, look no further than rookie Jordan Addison. Addison is a dynamic playmaker and should benefit from all eyes being on Jefferson. He is a very good route runner with a nose for the ball. The Vikings plan to use him both on the outside and in the slot.
K.J. Osborn is most likely going to be the WR3 three on the team. But, outside of deep leagues, I am not sure the WR3 in this offense is worth rostering.
Tight Ends
T.J. Hockenson 2022 splits
7 games in DET: 41 targets, 26 recs for 395 yards & 3 TDs. 1.87 YPRR. 82% RT.
7 games in MIN: 82 targets, 60 recs for 519 yards & 3 TDs. 1.43 YPRR. 87% RT.
What's now tricky is projecting Hock’s 2023 volume with WR Jordan Addison in the fold #Skol pic.twitter.com/YnryOmAKEV
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) June 19, 2023
T.J. Hockenson flourished with the Vikings after his trade from the Lions. He became a quick favorite of Cousins, being targeted 82 times. Now that Hockenson has had a full offseason with the Vikings, his numbers should improve. He has the size to be a reliable Red Zone threat and he knows how to get open in the middle of the field. He is a very trustworthy TE to roster at a very shallow position group.
Final Verdict
The Vikings offense should be a good mix of pass and run this season. Jefferson is a no-brainer first-round pick and Hockenson is someone you can snag in the middle rounds and be happy with his production.
Both Addison and Mattison have a lot in their games that could translate to fantasy success but both have some risk attached.
That does it for our 2023 Fantasy Football Minnesota Vikings Preview. Check out the rest of our Fantasy Football content!
