Minnesota, where Vikings are from. If you didn’t know, now you know. Lots of lakes for their boats to float on. In case you missed it, last time we checked out the Green Bay Packers. Now, let’s head to Minnesota, and party like it’s 1999. Let’s hope the roof doesn’t come down.

QB:

Kirk Cousins: Passing: 362/525-4,279, 25 TD: 8 INT
Rushing: 35-96-1 TD: 9 FMBL
Standard: 268.76 (21)
0.5 PPR: 268.76 (21)
1 PPR: 268.76 (21)

Sean Mannion: Passing: No. Just no. Mannion is just getting scout team reps. He will not play.
Rushing: To cash his checks before the Vikings draft Cousins’ successor.

Cousins is a reliable option at QB, but I don’t think he has elite upside anymore. He is serviceable as a backup or superflex, but I am not getting overly excited about him. He is gonna get solid numbers, but won’t win you the matchup most weeks. Get him late as a backup or superflex, and you are gonna be just fine.

Don’t draft Mannion. Honestly, I think this goes without saying, but I am still saying it.

RB:

Dalvin Cook: Rushing: 253-1,152-11 TD: 3 FMBL
Receiving: 69 targets, 56 catches, 531 Yds, 1 TD
Standard: 237.7 (5)
0.5 PPR: 265.3 (6)
1 PPR: 293.3 (5)

Alexander Mattison: Rushing: 106-478-3 TD: 1 FMBL
Receiving: 19 targets, 14 catches, 125 Yds, 1 TD
Standard: 83.3 (48)
0.5 PPR: 90.3 (53)
1 PPR: 97.3 (53)

Mike Boone: Rushing: 29-137- 1 TD
Receiving: 6 targets, 3 catches, 22 Yds
Standard: 21.9 (83)
0.5 PPR: 23.4 (85)
1 PPR: 24.9 (85)

Dalvin Cook was finally healthy in 2019, and gosh was he good. Expect more of the same in 2020 unless he holds out. I don’t suspect he does. So get ready for a healthy dose of Cook for the Vikings. He can do it all, and sans Diggs, I expect a huge

If Cook holds out or is injured again, Mattison becomes a very viable option. He is a flex depth piece with a healthy Cook, but he approaches RB1 status without him. Target Mattison late, and he could pay off big time. With a healthy Cook, his ceiling is capped. But Mattison can play, and I want some exposure to him in 2020. You can safely ignore Boone unless both these guys go down.

WR:

Adam Thielen: Rushing: 2-17, 1 FMBLe
Receiving: 118 targets, 77 catches, 1,049 Yds, 6 TD
Standard: 141.6 (25)
0.5 PPR: 180.1 (23)
1 PPR: 218.6 (22)

Justin Jefferson: Receiving: 89 targets, 59 catches, 828 Yds, 5 TD: 1 FMBL
Standard: 111.8 (42)
0.5 PPR: 141.3 (42)
1 PPR: 170.8 (41)

Olabisi Johnson: Receiving: 44 targets, 31 catches, 357 Yds, 2 TD
Standard: 47.7 (96)
0.5 PPR: 63.2 (93)
1 PPR: 78.7 (92)

Tajae Sharpe: Receiving: 28 targets, 16 catches, 202 Yds, 1 TD
Standard: 26.2 (112)
0.5 PPR: 34.2 (110)
1 PPR: 42.2 (111)

K.J. Osborn: Receiving: 16 targets, 10 catches, 175 Yds, 1 TD
Standard: 23.5 (116)
0.5 PPR: 28.5 (118)
1 PPR: 33.5 (118)

Thielen has a very safe floor, and I can’t see him just falling off with Diggs gone. His numbers are actually better without Diggs through his career so far. Thielen is gonna get more attention this year, but I think he can handle it this year. Cook is gonna help him, and his rapport with Cousins should prove invaluable. The targets will be there.

Jefferson is a rookie I am trying to get exposure to. He is tasked with filling Diggs’ shoes, and while I don’t expect Diggs numbers, Jefferson should impress this year. I like him quite as a flex option this year, and I am a huge fan of him in dynasty. The rest of the WRs have minimal value in redraft in 2020. But I am intrigued by Osborn’s upside in dynasty. Thielen won’t be here forever, someone is gonna have to run next to Jefferson in a few years.

TE:

Irv Smith: Receiving: 69 targets, 49 catches, 509 Yds, 3 TD: 1 FMBL
Standard: 67.9 (27)
0.5 PPR: 92.4 (25)
1 PPR: 116.9 (22)

Kyle Rudolph: Receiving: 59 targets, 41 catches, 409 Yds, 5 TD
Standard: 70.9 (24)
0.5 PPR: 91.4 (26)
1 PPR: 111.9(27)

Tyler Conklin: Receiving: 8 targets, 6 catches, 72 Yds
Standard: 7.2 (73)
0.5 PPR: 10.2 (73)
1 PPR: 13.2 (74)

Smith and Rudolph both have their strengths. Rudolph has a nose for the end zone, and Smith is the more explosive weapon. If I am in PPR formats, I like Smith, in Standard, I will take Rudolph. I am not high on either, but both of these guys have upside and pretty safe floors. Rudolph will likely score more, but Smith is more likely to get more targets. So draft them accordingly. Smith has more value in dynasty. As far as Conklin, just don’t do it.

I project the Vikings to score 1,289.06 points, which is 13th overall. This offense does have some pretty excellent weapons. I am all over Cook, and Thielen has safe upside. But Jefferson might be the value play. And either of these TEs could be very good. I want exposure to this team.

Vikings are from Minnesota… trust me. Like what you saw? Disagree? Let me know. Follow me on Twitter @realryanhicks. Follow Belly Up Fantasy on Twitter for all your sports needs. Next up, we have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.