Jerick McKinnon's Updated 2014 Fantasy Outlook Heading into Week 7

Jerick McKinnon’s Week 6 numbers didn’t exactly explode off the page when his Minnesota Vikings lost to the Detroit Lions, but there is plenty of reason for optimism moving forward for fantasy owners.

McKinnon finished with a solid 40 rushing yards and 42 receiving yards against one of the best defenses in the league, but the fact that he out-touched fellow running back Matt Asiata is the most encouraging development of the game.

That is a large difference in usage, which is exactly what fantasy owners who are looking to avoid vulture statistics are looking for from running backs. The numbers are even more startling when you consider McKinnon played 48 offensive snaps compared to Asiata’s 15. 

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Michael Fabiano of NFL.com weighed in:

McKinnon is the more athletic of the two backs and the better pass-catcher. He finished with a team-high six catches against Detroit, and there is no reason to expect anything differently moving forward.

If nothing else, that is music to the ears of owners in points-per-reception leagues.

Matthew Fairburn of Syracuse.com provided insight into how McKinnon's role may be altered going forward: 

McKinnon's big-play potential is what makes him a more viable fantasy option than Asiata, who seems to be more of a short-yardage running back than anything else at this point. The faster McKinnon will likely get the starting role moving forward, and fantasy football is often all about opportunity. 

Head coach Mike Zimmer provided a simple but effective quote after that game that indicated McKinnon will be the go-to running back in the near future, via Andrew Krammer of 1500ESPN.com:

The fact that Teddy Bridgewater struggled mightily against Detroit is actually a positive development for McKinnon’s fantasy value as well. The Vikings will likely look to keep the ball on the ground early to open things up for the passing attack moving forward. What’s more, short passes will build the rookie’s confidence, which could mean Bridgewater will look to the flat more often.

McKinnon will be waiting.

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Those explosive plays will certainly benefit your fantasy team, but there is one major reason for hesitation heading into Week 7.

The Vikings go to Buffalo and will face the top-ranked run defense in the NFL. The Bills are allowing a measly 67.5 rushing yards a game, which is rather incredible, especially since they already faced Matt Forte, Arian Foster and Lamar Miller (although Foster was certainly less than 100 percent).

That stingy run defense could also work to McKinnon’s advantage, though, because he is Minnesota’s best option out of the backfield in the passing game. Buffalo ranks 26th in the league in opposing passing yards a game, so there should be plays available through the air. McKinnon will likely take advantage as a top target yet again.

Proceed with caution when it comes to McKinnon heading into Week 7 based on Buffalo’s run defense alone, but he is a valuable long-term back in fantasy football. 

McKinnon will continue to put up big numbers as long as he gets the opportunities. Minnesota is in a position to rely on the run as much as any team in the NFL, which means McKinnon will rack up the fantasy points while Bridgewater gradually becomes fully comfortable with the NFL game.

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