Eddie Brown
The San Diego Union-Tribune
Knowledge is power and the greatest asset you can acquire in order to compete for a fantasy football championship.
Here’s your 2023 preview of the Minnesota Vikings, the 32nd of 32 team profiles during draft season:
— 2023 Fantasy MVP: Justin Jefferson, WR
Jefferson (ADP: 2) is well deserving of the first overall pick in your fantasy draft. His per 17 games average after three seasons in the NFL: 110 receptions (162 targets), 1,640 yards and eight touchdowns. In fact, he’s increased his targets, receptions and yards every year he has been in the league. It’ll likely be a historic season if he does it again.
— 2023 Fantasy Sleeper: Kirk Cousins, QB
In the last three seasons, Cousins (ADP: 106) has finished as the overall QB11, QB11 and QB7 in fantasy. He’s currently the QB13 based on ADP, and I believe that’s his floor throwing to Jefferson, a full season with TJ Hockenson, the addition of Jordan Addison and the departure of Dalvin Cook.
— 2023 Fantasy Bust: Alexander Mattison, RB
Mattison (ADP: 48) is a north-south runner who lacks explosiveness and has earned this opportunity by feasting on a poor Lions defense in three of his six career starts. He’s going to see a high volume of touches initially — and that’s usually all you need in fantasy — but Cook’s receiving work will likely go to Ty Chandler or Kene Nwangwu, which will make Mattison touchdown-dependent in a pass-happy offense.
— 2023 Fantasy Rookie to Watch: Jordan Addison, WR
The 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner (with Pittsburgh) wasn’t as dominant at USC last season, but he’s a silky smooth route runner with enough speed to challenge a defense at every level and features inside/outside versatility. Addison (ADP: 84) is being drafted as a weekly WR3 (WR36 overall) and that’s well within reach opposite Jefferson.
©2023 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.