Dissecting the Minnesota Vikings (Fantasy Football)

Sage sure must have been pumped up about having a legitimate shot at being a starting QB for a possible Super Bowl contender. And this was supposed to be Tavaris Jackson’s Last Stand. So much for that, huh?

While people in deep leagues shouldn’t be rage-dropping Tavaris or Sage quite yet, it’s only a matter of time. The deposed duo is worth holding onto for the moment, in case Favre doesn’t pass his physical or gets hurt in the preseason. But if Week One comes up and nothing is wrong with Favre, they’re not worth holding onto. There are better real-life backups like Pat White, Andrew Walter, and Vince Young who have higher upside than Rosenfels or Jackson. Although, in standard leagues you can just drop them now and pick up a flier WR or RB like Johnny Knox or Brian Robiskie.

While Brett joining the Vikings isn’t a huge deal, there are some things to consider.Obviously, for me and all my fellows in 20-team leagues, Favre showing up offers one of those precious few guaranteed starting QBs that doesn’t have his job in danger. In all likelihood, he’s already been taken by now, or will be taken in any deep draft from here on out.

For standard-sized leagues, his presence is important, but not earth-shaking. Favre has more value than a lot of the widely owned bye or matchup-play QBs such as Jake Delhomme, Joe Flacco, or Jason Campbell. He still falls well outside starter range in 10-team leagues, and this year is particularly deep, with about a dozen QBs with 4000 yard potential. Still, I would lump him together with guys like Trent Edwards, David Garrard, and Kyle Orton who are taken in the 17, 18, and 19 rounds for QBs. There is fantasy value there, but not a huge amount.

Favre joining Minnesota isn’t a huge factor for Peterson. He’s still going to get over 350 touches. Still, I definitely think he’ll lose at least some work with the modestly improved passing game that Favre brings. Granted, he’s still hyper-talented, and the Minnesota offense is still his to lose. But if you’re one of those guys with the top overall pick, and you are turning over the thought of going after Michael Turner or Maurice Jones-Drew, this is something to think about. For me though, AP is still on top.

Shiancoe may actually end up being the biggest beneficiary of Favre joining Minnesota. Shiancoe surprised the fantasy football playing world last season, falling just outside of the top shelf of TEs with a fifth-place finish, behind only Tony Gonzalez, Jason Witten, Dallas Clark, and Antonio Gates.

It’s no secret that Favre is a fan of his TEs, working Dustin Keller into the Jets’ passing mix in 2008, and making Donald Lee a top-10 fantasy TE in 2007. Shiancoe tied Bernard Berrian as the top scorer through the air, but Berrian’s scoring came from the deep ball, including as a 33-yarder in Week Five, an 86-yarder in Week Six, and a 41-yarder in Week 15.

Shiancoe thrived in the short-passing game and red zone, and remains the best target in the Minnesota offense in those situations. At 6'4" 250-pounds, he’s a potential touchdown machine. A season like Dallas Clark’s 2007 campaign (616 yards, 11 TDs) is far-fetched, but the potential is there with Favre passing.

Let me start by saying Berrian is not that great a WR in PPR leagues. While 964 yards and seven TDs is a pretty good line, he did it in only 48 receptions, which puts him well below comparable WRs like Hines Ward and Lance Moore. So when I make comparisons to other players in this article, think of it strictly in terms of non-PPR leagues.

While Berrian doesn’t benefit from Favre the way Shiancoe does, he gets a modest bump. I can’t see him doing significantly better. 1000 or so yards and 6-8 TDs is likely where he’ll place in 2009. Favre gives him a bit more security than Rosenfels or Jackson at this point, and that’s it. While Favre is probably going to be more willing to throw the deep ball, don’t pick up Berrian over Hines Ward, Antonio Bryant or Santana Moss.

Percy Harvin also gets a bump from Favre’s presence. Something worth noting is that Favre has produced two fantasy-worthy WRs and a valuable TE several times, be it Donald Driver, Donald Lee and Greg Jennings, or Javon Walker, Bubba Franks and Donald Driver, or Lavernues Coles, Dustin Keller and Jerricho Cotchery. Bernard Berrian, Visanthe Shiancoe, and Percy Harvin could be next.

It’s entirely possible that Favre could develop a rapport with Harvin very quickly. Even if he doesn’t, the Vikings are still actively looking for ways to work him into their offense. He had WR3 potential, but he’s got an insane amount of upside. His current ADP is around 114, and that's a serious bargain, I think.