PROJECTED DEPTH CHART

Players listed in order of fantasy relevance. Recommended round to draft in standard 10 to 12-team leagues with 16 rounds in parentheses.

Quarterback: Tarvaris Jackson, Gus Frerotte, John David Booty

Running Back: Adrian Peterson (1), Chester Taylor (8), Maurice Hicks

Wide Receiver: Bernard Berrian (9), Sidney Rice (11), Bobby Wade, Robert Ferguson

Tight End: Visanthe Shiancoe, Jim Kleinsasser

Kicker: Ryan Longwell (16)

NOTABLE PLAYER MOVES

Additions: WR Bernard Berrian, S Madieu Williams, QB Gus Frerotte, RB Maurice Hicks, DL Jared Allen
Subtractions: QB Kelly Holcomb, RB Mewelde Moore, S Tank Williams, WR Troy Williamson

2008 ROOKIES TO WATCH

The Vikings are moving forward on a public-private partnership that will open a new multi-purpose stadium on the current Metrodome site in the year 2012. Photo Credit: Minnesota Momentum

Round Five: John David Booty, QB, USC
Round Six:  Jaymar Johnson, WR, Jackson State

TOP POSITION BATTLE

QB:  Gus Frerotte vs. John David Booty vs. Brooks Bollinger

2008 SCHEDULE

Top matchups in bold

Sept. 8: at Green Bay
Sept. 14: Indianapolis
Sept. 21: Carolina
Sept. 28: at Tennessee
Oct. 6 :  at New Orleans
Oct. 12: Detroit
Oct. 19: at Chicago
Oct 26: BYE
Nov. 2: Houston
Nov. 9: Green Bay
Nov. 17: at Tampa Bay
Nov. 23: at Jacksonville
Nov. 30: Chicago
FANTASY PLAYOFF MATCHUPS
Dec. 7: at Detroit
Dec. 14: at Arizona
Dec. 21: Atlanta
Dec 28: NY Giants

ENGEL EYE ON: THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Bernard Berrian is likely in for a disappointing year from the fantasy perspective. I like Berrian from a pure football perspective, because he is a downfield threat and isn't afraid to make a catch in traffic.  The problem is that he will draw regular coverage from top cover cornerbacks and should see a lot of double-teaming. Plus, the quarterback situation is an obvious detriment. I'll pass on Berrian as a fantasy starter and will usually look past him when he is available this year. The extra defensive attention he draws, though, will help Sidney Rice deliver a few pretty good fantasy outings along the way.

2008 FANTASY POSITIONAL OUTLOOKS

Quarterback:
While Tarvaris Jackson is the prohibitive starter in Minnesota, how safe can your job be when in the previous year you threw only nine touchdowns against 12 interceptions in 12 games?  Yes, the coaching staff is talking a good game, saying Tarvaris is their starter, but how many times have we heard that?  Look for Gus Frerotte, and especially John David Booty, to see a lot of action in training camp.  Brooks Bollinger, who has been the backup in Minnesota the past two seasons, is also on the roster but not expected to be a factor.  Jackson is not a very accurate passer, and he tends to hold onto the ball too long in order to make the “perfect” read.  Head Coach Brad Childress threw Tarvaris into the fire last year, but with high expectations this season, Childress will be pressured to make a change if Jackson gets off to a slow start.  The bottom line is this...last year, opposing defenses often played eight (or even nine) men in the box against the Vikings, because they had no respect for the Vikings’ passing game.  In 2008, no matter who starts for Minnesota, they need to be able to demand respect from those opposing defenses.  The Vikings can’t afford to have Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor take another year of getting pounded every Sunday and being worn out at the end of the season like in 2007.  Unless you are in a 20-team fantasy league, there is no reason to have any of the Vikings quarterbacks on your roster to start the season.  The only exception may be John David Booty for you hardcore dynasty league owners. 

Former Sooner stud Adrian Peterson running wild in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl Game. Photo Credit: langzi

Running Back:
Adrian Peterson must feel like the scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz”, however instead of lamenting “If I only had a brain”, Adrian’s mourning is “If I only had a quarterback.”  Peterson had 1,341 yards in 2007, which led the NFC.  He played in only 14 games, scored 13 total touchdowns (12 rushing), and averaged 5.6 yards per carry.  Adrian must be wondering what he could have accomplished if he weren’t staring at eight defenders within ten feet of him every time he touched the ball.  Minnesota is blessed by having two very capable running backs, with the second one being Chester Taylor.  Chester was the starter for the Vikings in 2006, but with the drafting of Adrian Peterson, everyone knew the clock was ticking on Taylor’s reign as Minnesota’s starting running back.  However, due to some injuries which forced Peterson to miss two games and parts of several other games, Chester was able to amass 1,125 yards of total offense, including 844 on the ground.  Peterson is the likely first or second overall pick in your draft and should top 1,500 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.  Taylor is a solid choice in the eighth round and should return on that investment 1,000 combined yards and six touchdowns.  Maurice Hicks is the distant third-string running back, and he should not warrant any attention during your draft.

Wide Receiver:
There is no way to sugar-coat this.  Last season, the Vikings’ wide receivers were atrocious, heinous, and just plain rotten.  The only wide receiver (and the only Viking) to average more then three receptions per game in 2007 was leading (and I use that term with some hesitation) receiver Bobby Wade.  What was Wade’s reward for that unique accomplishment?  A demotion to third string behind newly signed free agent Bernard Berrian and second year receiver Sidney Rice.  Open letter to Bernard Berrian.  You worked your tail off last season, catching 71 balls for 951 yards and five touchdowns so you can escape the hell that is the two-headed monster of Rex Grossman and Brian Griese, and you willingly sign a contract with the one team whose quarterback situation may actually be worse?  OK, I’ll give you that Atlanta may be worse, but seriously, Minnesota?  Bernard, please get yourself a new agent.  Sidney Rice is now Minnesota’s other starter, and with the right quarterback, he could blossom into a good fantasy option.  Sidney has great hands, runs good routes, and is aggressive on the field.  Another player to watch is Aundrae Allison.  Allison has a nice combination of size and speed, and the coaching staff would like to get him some more looks this season.  Robert Ferguson is also in the mix but should have no relevancy on the field.  So what do you do with this mess come draft day?  I’d look at Berrian in the ninth round and Sidney Rice in the eleventh round.  Wade and Ferguson don’t deserve to be drafted, but if you are in a deep dynasty league, Allison may be worth a flyer.

Tight End:
Usually, when a team has a young quarterback who has trouble reading defenses, the tendency for that quarterback is to rely on his tight ends for dump-off passes.  However, that wasn’t the case in Minnesota last year, as the Vikings’ top three tight ends combined for only 38 catches.  Visanthe Shiancoe is your starter, however he didn’t impress anyone with his 2007 season.  He only had 27 catches and one touchdown (while dropping several others) on the season.  Shiancoe has been working on his speed during the off-season, slimming down to 243 pounds, and he has been practicing running sharper routes in an effort to get open more.  If Visanthe can improve his pass-catching ability, he has the opportunity to exceed last year’s numbers, but not enough to have his name on your cheat sheet.  Jim Kleinsasser is the Vikings’ second string tight end, and he is mainly known for his blocking ability. Kleinsasser is not a consistent threat to catch the ball or score.  Avoid taking any Minnesota tight ends in your draft.

Kicker:
Ryan Longwell began his career with eight straight seasons of 100 or more points.  However, the last three seasons, he has been in the nineties in points scored.  Even his kicker-perfect last name is no longer valid.  From 2003-2005, Longwell hit seven-of-nine field goals from 50 yards or more, but the past two seasons he has hit only one-of-six from that distance.  Ryan’s hope is that he can regain some of that strength and distance, as he has connected on 40-of-43 field goals of less then 50 yards in 2007 and 2008.  Ryan Longwell should not be an option for you on draft day unless you like to draft two kickers.

Defense/Special Teams:
The Vikings were twelfth in the league last year in points allowed, giving up a miserly 19.4 points per game.  They led the league in fewest rushing yards allowed per game (74.1) and in defensive touchdowns with eight (six INT, two fumble).  Minnesota’ pass defense was a different story.  They were last in the league in passing yards per game allowed (264.1) and only had 15 interceptions, which ranked near the bottom of the league.  But talk about great return on your investments!  40% of the Vikings’ interceptions were returned for touchdowns!  Just think what could have been if they had intercepted 30 passes like league-leader San Diego last year.  Minnesota must have been thinking the same thing, because they traded for NFL sack leader Jared Allen to bolster their pass rush.  That should result in more interception opportunities for cornerbacks Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin, and safeties Darren Sharper and Madieu Williams.  Joining Jared Allen on the defensive line are last year’s run-stuffers Pat Williams and Kevin Williams.  E.J. Henderson leads the linebackers, but watch for Chad Greenway, as he looks fully recovered from the knee injury which forced him to miss his entire rookie campaign of 2006.  The forecast for the Minnesota defense is excellent, so look for the Vikings to be one of the top five fantasy defenses in 2008.

Offensive Line:
The offensive line, which was expected to be one of the strengths for the Vikings, may be in a state of flux in 2008.  Bryant McKinnie is currently on trial for charges related to a bar fight in Miami in late February.  Based on NFL rules, McKinnie could be suspended without a criminal conviction, so watch this situation closely.  If Bryant misses any time, Artis Hicks would start.  The other issue for Minnesota on the offensive line is center Matt Birk.  He is in the final year of his contract, and at this point, he is unsigned past 2008.  As insurance, the Vikings drafted center John Sullivan out of Notre Dame in the sixth round of the draft this year.  The one spot the Vikings are not concerned about is Steve Hutchinson, who is a perennial Pro Bowl selection at left guard.  Anthony Herrera and Ryan Cook round out the offensive line.  Look for the line to continue to open holes for Peterson and Taylor, while working hard to give Tarvaris Jackson an extra second to make the right read. 

Matt was in Minneapolis this past February and the temperature was -13 Fahrenheit!  Weeks later, and finally fully defrosted, Matt decided to no longer plan trips to the Twin Cities during the winter.  For more travel tips, e-mail Matt at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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