*** '07 Player Projections By NFL Team ***

[NAn 39]

To prepare FFTodayers for the upcoming ’07 season, starting 5/14 will post threads listing offensive players by NFL team and invite posters to attach projections to each offensive player.

Posting of just commentary on one or mutliple players, instead of projections is welcomed and encouraged as well.

 

Will post 3 team threads per week (2 during 4th of July week) alphabetically by team city, so will have all 32 NFL teams posted before August 1st.

Through beginning of FF season will hopefully have this thread pinned as an ‘Archives’ thread, so will have opportunity to post replies for any previous team at any time.

 

Player Projections By NFL Team: Archives Thread Link

Minnesota Vikings: Team/Player Statistical History Link

 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

 

’06 Statistics

 

|---------- PASSING -----------||----- RUSHING -----|  TOTAL 
		  CMP  ATT   YD	YPA   TD INT  ATT   YD	YPA  TD	 YD   
		  333  541  3402   6.29  13  20  442  1820  4.12  12   5222
NFL rank --->   7	9   17	 26   31  25   17   16	14   18	 21
QB
| Name				 |  G | CMP ATT   PCT YARD  Y/A TD IN | RSH YARD TD |
| Tarvaris Jackson	 |  4 |  47  81  58.0  475  5.9  2  4 |  15   77  1 |
RB
| Name				 |  G |  RSH  YARD   AVG  TD  |  REC  YARD   AVG  TD |
| Chester Taylor	   | 15 |  303  1216   4.0   6  |   42   288   6.9   0 |
 Adrian Peterson
WR
| Name				 |  G |  RSH  YARD   AVG  TD  |  REC  YARD   AVG  TD |
| Billy McMullen	   | 16 |	0	 0   0.0   0  |   23   307  13.3   2 |
| Marcus Robinson	  | 10 |	0	 0   0.0   0  |   29   381  13.1   4 |
| Troy Williamson	  | 14 |	0	 0   0.0   0  |   37   455  12.3   0 |
TE
| Name				 |  G |  REC  YARD   AVG  TD |
| Jermaine Wiggins	 | 16 |   46   386   8.4   1 |

Notes:

HC BChildress: 2nd season

QB TJackson: Will be 2nd season, 1st as anticipated starter

RB CTaylor: Will be 6th season, 2nd season with Vikings

WR TWilliamson: 3rd season

 

Key Questions For '07 Season:

How will TJackson fare as starting QB? Will he be starting QB? For duration?

What will be carry (overall/rz/gl) distribution between CTaylor and APeterson?

Will TWilliamson ‘step up’ in 3rd season?

Will there be any player of significant value ff-wise on the Vikings?

[scherber830 0]

T. Jackson - As a Vikings homer, I am not convinced he is the answer at QB. Although the coaching staff seems to be high on him, many of the radio shows are reporting that he looked a little suspect during pressure drills during OTAs (no link but KFAN was saying this).

 

Either way, Jackson has shown no signs that he will be able to be a good NFL QB. Remember they drafted him in the 2nd round as a 2-3 year project. From watching him in limited action, Jackson does have a strong arm and the neccessary mustard on his passes to make all the throws. He also has better than average running ability and had some nice runs, although he is mostly a pocket passer type-guy. He is said to be very coachable and willing to learn.

The big question mark is his ability to read defenses and react under pressure.

 

Because of the somewhat conservative dink-and-dunk West Coast style the Vikings play, don't look for Jackson to be a fantasy starter, but if he shows poise under pressure and can get acclimated to the NFL defenses, he can at least prevent constant 8-man fronts. (proj: 2900 yards, 350 rush, 18 TD)

 

Adrian Peterson - The lone reason for optimism coming into the season. With Bobby Wade and Vinsanthe Shiancoe the only real free agent additions on offense, it's amazing at how much optimism there is for the offense to improve this year. Peterson is the main addition to the offense and should become the centerpiece sooner rather than later.

 

While Minnesota's offensive line is extremely overrated based on last year's performance and the amount of money it makes collectively, Peterson does have the luxary of running behind a solid line. The problem, of course is the passing game's ability to keep defenses honest. Still, Peterson is unquestionably more talented than Chester Taylor and it is only a matter of time before AD becomes the feature back. Don't read too much into the RBBC in Minnesota; The most Chester Taylor will do is take some of the burden off of AD early...but by the end of the year it will be Peterson's show.

 

Unlike the RBBC in New Orleans where Bush is the lightning and Deuce is the thunder...Peterson and Taylor are similar backs...but with Peterson's pass catching ability, tough running style, and 4.3 speed, he is more talented than Taylor in every facet. Durability is the only reason Chester will take as many carries as he does. (proj: 200 car. 860 yards rush, 40 rec 500 yards, 6 TD)

 

 

Chester Taylor - He might start off the season in a true split with AD, but as the season goes on AD will begin to show why he was an early first rounder. However, I have heard that Taylor may get the goalline carries because of durability concerns with AD along with his "upright-running style." But this remains to be seen. (proj: 150 car. 600-700 yards, 6 TD)

 

Wide Receivers - A mess. Bobby Wade is a slot guy, and it remains to be seen if he can perform up to the lucrative contract he got. Troy Williamson apparently is a new man after NIKE got ahold of him and allegedly fixed his vision. Sidney Rice is a good prospect, and has the neccessary athleticism to succeed in the system, but there wil be no significant fantasy starters in this group. Perhaps Wade or Williamson can be an adequate fill-in, but I doubt it.

 

Vinsanthe Shiancoe (sp?) - A sleeper in my book. Even though he is unheralded and unproven, the tight end will be a big part of this offense. As much as they have shown nothing so far, speed guys like Williamson, Andre Allison and even Wade will at least make defenses respect their speed. If they can open the field up for Vinny, he could have an alright year.

(proj. 45 rec. 550 yards, 3 TD)

[Vikings4ever 570]

 

That's pretty much what I think of my Vikings FF wise this year.

 

I refuse to write of Jackson after just 3 games as some are doing. He had a better completion % and TD/INT ratio than Peyton Manning his first 3 games, dispite being far less NFL ready and far poorer in surrounding talent. That being said, I don't think he'll be anything more than a 3rd QB to cover injuries/byes.

 

I expect Chester Taylor to get a slightly larger % of the carries to start the year, 60/40 or so. AD should, if he stays healthy, start to get the ball more as the season goes on, 55/45 in his favor at the end of the year. MeMo, assuming he makes the team, should see 3rd down duties, after tieing Wiggins for 2nd in catches last year, and being #2 in yardage. He's also in a contract year, and I feel he has the talent to challenge for a starting role if he can stay healthy. He's someone who can be stashed in a dynast league for next year, like Chester Taylor was a popular stash 2 years ago.

 

If Williamson does manage to figure out he's supposed to catch the ball, he might be a viable 3rd WR. Wade is worth a late round pick, as someone has to get the ball.

 

TEs, blah. They gave a nice contract to Visanthe Shiancoe, so I guess they see something in him.

 

Longwell's good, a possibly starter.

 

The Vikings D is a possible late round pick. If they figure out how to get to the QB this could be a devistating defense.

[NAn 39]

bump

[Dan 66]

Um. The Vikings have an offense?

 

Seriously, there are a lot of issues, and not a lot of answers. Tarvaris Jackson is fantasy worthless, especially this season, and realistically going forward as well.

 

Taylor is just enough to take the edge off Peterson, but his stock is hurt significantly by the presence of the rookie. The only way he makes a starting fantasy lineup is if Peterson is hurt. But even in the best of scenarios, there is no threat in the passing game, and I don't think he is good enough, nor is the line, to beat the 8 and 9 man fronts.

 

Peterson could be a great talent, and perhaps he's a reason for the fans to show up. Unfortunately, he may have to do it alone, and that's asking a lot from a rookie. He'll be taken way too high in most drafts based on his status coming into the draft. The reality is, the Vikings are a bad offensive team, and his progress is likely to be stagnated more than he helps it.

 

Wide Receivers - At first glance, I'm trying to find one. At second glance, I'm still looking. Seriously, there is no one in this corps that excites you. Troy Williamson may be the best, and that's really kinda scary. I thought he was overrated coming out of college, and I'm sure he's done anything to dispel that notion. He really needs to step up, but I just don't see it happening. Bobby Wade is a decent addition, if you already have some pieces. Is he now the leader of that group? I'm having a hard time buying that one.

Sidney Rice has value . . . down the road. But this is an ugly situation where you don't really have a standout WR, and you really lack an experienced WR to keep the group together and moving forward, learning and developing. That's just a bad recipe.

 

Longwell is a fine kicker, but without opportunities . . . who cares?

 

The defense is worth being a #2, especially in performance leagues. They are solid, and if they carry what they started last year, then there is hope for improvement there.

[Da Bomb 0]

minnesota fantasy in one word this season: avoid.

 

the RBs should have the most value behind a very good run blocking OL, but the split is up in the air, so its hard to see who will be the most valuable. i dont see any way that both guys arent on the field quite a bit and keeping each other fresh, and when there arent a lot of TDs to go around in the first place, that leaves two pretty mediocre RBs. i have adrian peterson around 25th in my rankings and chester taylor around 40th. in a PPR league, taylor is a decent snag. in a normal league, peterson might be worth if you can save him for the last 6-8 weeks.

 

the WRs are worthless. dont even bother. not worth discussing. stay away. ditto the TEs.

 

tarvaris jackson i believe will end up being a solid backup fantasy QB. i wouldnt mind having him, with the rushing stats hes sure to compile on this team, as a (very) poor mans vick. he will only have like 150 passing yards most games, but he will also have 30-50 rushing yards a lot imo, which is then like having around 250 passing yards a game. nothing spectacular, but you could wait a long time on your backup QB.

 

longwell, meh. i dont see us scoring enough points to merit taking him, though i do see alot of redzone stalls. borderline starter, matchup play guy.

 

vikings defense, depending on the scoring, is the best fantasy option on the team. playmaking defense will score a handful of TDs, but if you lose points for giving up a lot of yards or points, then theyre not a great option but just a spot start. otherwise a borderline starter each week.

[RicemanX 20]

If chester or AP is there in the late 6th, I would probably draft them as a #3 RB, but that is all I can think I can do with this offense.

[Dan 66]

If chester or AP is there in the late 6th, I would probably draft them as a #3 RB, but that is all I can think I can do with this offense.

 

That's all? I can think of a certain quote from a Tampa Bay a while back . . .

[RicemanX 20]

That's all? I can think of a certain quote from a Tampa Bay a while back . . .

"Yarrrrrr!!" ??

 

:piratewithaneyepatch:

[Dan 66]

"Yarrrrrr!!" ??

 

:piratewithaneyepatch:

 

I was thinking more of the response given to the question, "What do you think of your offense's [sic] execution?"

[Mr_Grim 0]

I would not be suprised if the Minnesota D was a top 5 by years end. Yes they had problems getting to the quaterback last year but they're ends were banged up and/or gone all year. Their run defense is among the best in the league, and with healthy pass rushers I think they will be a force. They will be on the field a lot though.

 

I doubt Tjax will even start the season. As bad as it sounds Brooks is a better fantasy option than he is. He is at least experienced.

 

just my 2 cents...

[mobb_deep 921]

I project nothing on this team is worth anything in the FF world. The only value last year was RB and that's now completely muddled.

 

I won't touch any players from Minny or Clev under any circumstances.

[listen2me 23 1,964]

THis could be one of the worst Fantasy Off. ever.

[Foghorn Leghorn 0]

I won't touch any players from Minny or Clev under any circumstances.

 

Until the RB situation sorts itself out, I'd be taking Braylon Edwards looooong before I'd be taking any Viking offensive players.

[mobb_deep 921]

Until the RB situation sorts itself out, I'd be taking Braylon Edwards looooong before I'd be taking any Viking offensive players.

 

I don't know about Edwards. From early mocks and where most "experts" have him, he's a 6th rounder. He put up a few big games last year, but overall didn't do much. I'd much rather have a guy like Glenn or Galloway in the 6th, or just wait another round (or two) and grab a Stallworth, Berrian, Cotchery type WR.

[Da Bomb 0]

let it be known that i did all of my careful projections and my highest ranked vikings WR under normal scoring came in at #58.

 

STAY. AWAY.