Minnesota Vikings: Top 3 Fantasy Football value picks for 2017
By Josh Clarke
Sam Bradford
Let’s be honest, in the current version of the Vikings’ offense Sam Bradford is never going to consistently be a top-tier fantasy football quarterback. In fact, regardless of his surrounding cast you could make a solid argument that Bradford will never make it to that echelon however that doesn’t mean he doesn’t offer fantasy value if used accordingly.
The correct way to use Bradford is to stream him. Hopefully if you are reading this article you already know what streaming is but in case you don’t I’ll let the folks at Fantasy Pros explain below.
"For those who aren’t quite sure what we mean, the concept of streaming is that instead of owning one particular player, in this case, a quarterback, instead, you dedicate a roster spot to a rotating cast where the actual player changes week-to-week based on matchups. In simplest terms, you pick up a new QB just about every week. This allows you to spend all of your draft capital on WRs and RBs with the idea that the advantage you gain at those positions will make up for the hit you take at QB."
If, like me, you are a fan of drafting quarterbacks late or not at all, Bradford presents several reasons why he makes the ideal streaming quarterback this season. Firstly his current ADP is a lowly 161.8 which has him going in the 14th round of 12 team leagues. It is almost certain that he will be available at the back-end of your draft and may even start the season on the waiver wire.
As mentioned on the previous slide the Vikings have a favourable defensive schedule, outside of the Steelers and Ravens none of the Vikings opponents have the potential to have an elite defensive unit. A few teams posses a solid pass rush or decent secondary but no one has both. As we saw last season in games against the Packers, Bears and Redskins, Bradford has the ability to have big games in Shurmer’s system. With the teams the Vikings face in 2017 he should have plenty of opportunities to do so this year.
Sam Bradford has 2017's #1 Best QB Fantasy Points Allowed by D/ST (in 2016) from Weeks 1 to 13.
— Hilal ☪ هلال (@hjchami) August 12, 2017
Next ones up are Glennon/Mitch, Cam, McCown.
Bradford should also benefit from a bolstered supporting cast in the upcoming season. The offensive line is reinforced, although arguably remains a work in progress, the running back group replenished and the young group of receivers expected to continue their ascent. Bradford impressively managed to avoid point sapping interceptions last year only throwing 5 but also only passed for a distinctly average 20 touchdowns. It would be naive to expect him to maintain his 1:4 interception to touchdown ratio but with the Vikings offensive additions he should certainly finish off more scoring drives with 6 points.
I’m not saying you should aim to have Sam Bradford as your fantasy quarterback all season and expect to romp to your league title but his weak schedule and low ADP make him the ideal back up or streaming option.