2022 Dynasty Capsule: Minnesota Vikings

Rob Willette Posted On February 6, 2022

The Minnesota Vikings will have many things to sort out this off-season. After tabbing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as their new general manager, they now have to bring in the team’s first new head coach in nearly a decade. After they sort out their leadership structure, they’ll need to decide on the future of quarterback Kirk Cousins, who enters the final year of his deal which hits the cap at $45 million. Few teams will shuffle as many key positions as the Vikings.

Fortunately for the new leadership, Minnesota has talent, especially at the skill positions. These building blocks will likely be the most appealing factor for the new coaching staff. They’re also popular names in the dynasty landscape, as you’ll see below.

QUARTERBACK

Courtesy of Pro Football Reference

Kirk Cousins (ADP = 188.33, QB22)

Whether in Minnesota or elsewhere, Cousins figures to remain a steady fantasy producer. It may not always be a thing of beauty, but the counting stats at the end of the season make him a viable QB2 in superflex leagues and excellent streamer for single-quarterback leagues in great matchups. Always discounted in fantasy drafts due to being a boring, known quantity, Cousins is theft at QB22, which is where he finds himself in DLF’s dynasty ADP.

The former Michigan State Spartan either returns to Minnesota or lands with a contender. A return to Minnesota grants him one of the game’s best receivers along with a young offensive line and reliable running game. A departure lands him on a team with high aspirations, and they’ll ensure he has the requisite talent to work with. It is rare for someone with an uncertain future to hold steady as far as value is concerned, but there is no reason to discount Cousins just because we do not know where he will be next year.

Kellen Mond (ADP = N/A, QB N/A)

The Vikings spent their second pick in the 2021 Draft on Mond with eyes on his long-term development. The general manager who drafted him and the coach who had no time for him are now gone, raising questions as to whether he has any future in Minnesota. After operating as the team’s third quarterback all season, Mond has done little to generate enthusiasm.

RUNNING BACK

Dalvin Cook (ADP = 14.83, RB6)

Cook continues to churn out productive seasons. While he was not the difference-maker he was in 2020, he surpassed 1,000 yards on the ground and is the rare back you can slot in for 20 touches weekly. He’s a centerpiece of the Vikings’ offense, a new regime figures to lean on him given he is one of the team’s best playmakers.

The big knock on Cook has been his diminished activity in the receiving game. He set a career high in 2019 with 53 receptions and has seen the number dip all the way to 34 in 2021. It is fair to argue Cook has been underutilized in the passing game; the upside of a new coaching staff is a change in how he is employed. Even without elite receiving usage, Cook is an RB1 right in the middle of his prime. If a new coaching staff unlocks his receiving upside, he could produce some special seasons.

Alexander Mattison (ADP = 120.17, RB38)

While handcuffing running backs is often a pointless endeavor, there has been value in backing up Cook with Mattison in recent years. If Cook misses time, Mattison steps into a full workload. He’s the rare backup to assume a starter’s workload when given the opportunity, even though he is a fraction the talent Cook is.

The hope was Mattison may have been a short-term starter for the Vikings, but Cook’s extension squashed said dream. As is, Mattison is a high-end backup who can produce like an RB1 when called upon. You’re not racing to acquire those types in fantasy leagues but once you enter the middle rounds, high-end backups have significant value, especially ones with a track record like Mattison’s.

Kene Nwangwu (ADP = 233.17, RB81)

A phenomenal athlete who was sparsely used at Iowa State, Nwangwu was a popular late-round rookie pick, seen as someone who just needed an opportunity to thrive. A year later, he is a similar player. Nwangwu excelled as a return man – a big reason the Vikings selected him – and flashed his physical tools enough to keep him on the dynasty radar. He is nothing more than an end of roster stash, but he is at least a fun one.

WIDE RECEIVER

Justin Jefferson (ADP = 2.17, WR1)

Off to an historical start, Jefferson has become one of dynasty’s most valued commodities. He has torched cornerbacks for two seasons in a row and showcases an advanced understanding of how to manipulate defenders and find open field. Not turning 23 until this summer and with two seasons of elite production already under his belt, there is a case for Jefferson as dynasty’s top player.

Adam Thielen (ADP = 114.67, WR52)

Thielen is fueled by calls for touchdown regression. While the overall numbers were a bit down (down a full yard per target in 2021 on only 10.8 yards per grab) Thielen found the end zone ten times before having his season cut short by an ankle injury. Thielen and Cousins are dialed-in near the endzone, as the former UDFA has become one of football’s best touchdown-makers over the past three seasons.

Of course, Thielen will be 32 this summer and is on a team in transition. It seems likely he is best served as a hold given his stock is way down with an ADP of WR52. He has value to contenders but is unlikely to move the needle for teams looking to rebuild.

KJ Osborn (ADP = 181.00, WR80)

Osborn was a pleasant surprise for a team bereft of playmakers beyond their big three. He took advantage of tight end injuries to create some splash plays and become a reliable third receiver for Cousins. Osborn is unlikely to ascend beyond the third option on a depth chart but he has put himself on the map in deeper leagues.

TIGHT END

Irv Smith Jr (ADP = 129.83, TE14)

Smith missed the entire 2021 campaign following meniscus surgery in August. It was supposed to be his breakout campaign, as the Vikings were desperate for a third option in the passing game and Smith had flashed potential over his first two seasons. Instead, the former Alabama tight end now finds himself entering year four without having established himself as a fantasy asset.

Still only 24 years old this summer, there is still ample time for Smith to put together a strong career. A smaller tight end with middling athleticism, however, it seems unlikely he becomes a star. His ADP of TE14 looks aggressive.

Tyler Conklin (ADP = N/A, TE N/A)

Stepping in for the injured Smith, Conklin routinely found himself on the streaming radar as one of the few tight ends who were at least involved in the weekly game plan. He caught 61 passes and set himself up for a reasonable payday as he hits free agency during the 2022 off-season. He likely profiles best as a backup or secondary tight end, but Conklin has worked his way onto the back end of rosters. I was surprised to see he did not register an ADP in DLF mock drafts.