Which members of the 2017 Minnesota Vikings should be fantasy starters for the team’s first regular season game of the year?
Meaningful football is not the only thing that begins in the NFL this week. For millions of football fans, the first full week of fantasy football in 2017 gets underway this weekend (well, technically it started with Thursday’s kickoff game).
The Minnesota Vikings have a number of intriguing players in the world of fantasy football this season. Whether someone is in a PPR league (points per reception) or a normal, standard scoring league, the Vikings’ roster features a good amount of players that could become big-time fantasy difference makers this year.
For Minnesota’s matchup with the New Orleans Saints on Monday night, which Vikings players should fantasy owners have in their starting lineups this week?
Start:
Sam Bradford, QB
Bradford has a great opportunity to get off to a fast start this season with his first game coming against a poor Saints defense. In 2016, New Orleans’ defense allowed the most passing yards per game to their opponents of any team in the NFL.
A game with at least 300 passing yards and three touchdowns would not be a shocking stat line for Minnesota’s quarterback this week.
Dalvin Cook, RB
In his very first regular season NFL game, Cook is expected to get the majority of the touches in the Vikings’ offensive backfield on Monday. Based on his opponent, the rookie running back should be in for a pretty impressive debut.
The Saints’ defense gave up the third most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2016 and there is really no reason to think that their run-stopping skills will be that much different on Monday night.
Stefon Diggs, WR
Minnesota’s catch leader a year ago (even with three games missed), Diggs seemed to play his best in 2016 when the Vikings were in the national spotlight.
During the four games he played in that were nationally televised last year, Diggs averaged almost a catch and 30 more receiving yards than he did in the games that were not. He also scored two of his three touchdowns from 2016 in primetime last season.
Adam Thielen, WR
After leading Minnesota in receiving yards last season, Thielen will have a good chance to stretch the field on Monday night.
New Orleans’ defense allowed the sixth most yards to opposing wide receivers last year, so Thielen should be able to begin right where he left off in 2016 (16.5 yards per catch in the final five games of last season).
Kyle Rudolph, TE
As Bradford’s favorite target last year, one should expect Rudolph to get a bunch of opportunities against the Saints. New Orleans’ defense was pretty good against opposing tight ends in 2016 (17th most fantasy points given up to tight ends), but Rudolph is still capable of having a good performance on Monday night.
At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, the Vikings’ tight end is always a threat to snag a touchdown whenever Minnesota is in the red zone as well.
Vikings Defense/Special Teams
The Vikings’ defense is a definite must-start for at least the beginning of 2017. Their ability to sack the quarterback and create turnovers is always pleasing for fantasy owners.
Minnesota’s special teams always has a good chance for a return touchdown as well. So yeah, start the Vikings’ defense and special teams until they give people a reason not to.
Sit:
Latavius Murray, RB
Still trying to find his fit in the Vikings’ offense, the time is not quite right just yet for Murray to be a fantasy starter. He could actually end up with a goal line touchdown or two in Monday’s game, but keeping him on the bench seems like the best bet for fantasy owners this week.
At least until his role in Minnesota’s offense is established.
Laquon Treadwell, WR
During his time on the field this preseason, Treadwell did show signs of improvement in his route running and separation abilities. But until he becomes a significant factor in the Vikings’ offense, there is no reason for fantasy owners to have Treadwell in their starting lineup.
Kai Forbath, K
The jury is still out on Forbath despite his impressive kicking for the Vikings in the second half of the 2016 season.
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Although, with Minnesota having the potential to put up a lot of points on Monday, it would not be the worst decision in the world for fantasy owners to start Forbath this week. However, it just seems like a good idea to wait and see how he performs during the team’s first few games before making him a normal fixture in anyone’s starting lineup.