Fantasy Football: Minnesota Vikings' Joe Webb a Threat to Rack Up Points

The sky is falling on the Minnesota Vikings.

Literally.

With the roof caving in at the Metrodome and both Brett Favre and Tarvaris Jackson out for Monday night's game against Chicago, the Vikes look time a team whose cause is beyond lost.

However, that doesn't mean there isn't still plenty of opportunity for fantasy football owners to take advantage for themselves.

The name "Joe Webb" might not ring a bell or cause much excitement, but that's just who will be starting under center for Minnesota against the Bears.

And there are plenty of reasons for fantasy owners to take a flier on the young QB out of Alabama-Birmingham.

Passing

Tom Dahlin/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 2: Joe Webb #14 of the Minnesota Vikings passes the ball during warmups prior to an NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at the Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, on September 2, 2010 in Minneapolis, M

First and foremost, fantasy owners will look to Joe Webb to put up some points in the passing game.

Granted, the rookie out of UAB may not be a great option as a starting quarterback on a fantasy team, but his productivity through the air, particularly against the Bears' 18th-ranked pass defense, should provide some value for those playing in leagues that allow for multipurpose offensive players.

After all, Webb does have the physical tools, at 6'4" and 220 pounds, to air it out to Sidney Rice and company.

Running

Joe Webb can absolutely fly.

Of course, any quarterback who can run a 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds and is facing the Bears' blitzing defense is liable to scramble here and there.

Joe Webb gave fantasy owners a glimpse of his fancy footwork with a 16-yard run in the Vikings' Monday night loss to the New York Giants, after wowing the team with his running ability in the preseason (see above).

That being said, rushing yards may be hard to come by for Webb, as well as star running back Adrian Peterson, against Chicago, which sports the NFL's second-stingiest run defense.

Receiving

Win McNamee/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 28: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings scrambles against the Washington Redskins at FedExField November 28, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Vikings won the game 17-13. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Joe Webb could also potentially have some value for fantasy owners even if he doesn't start under center for Minnesota.

The 24-year-old Webb played extensively at wide receiver early in his college career and worked out at as a pass-catcher at the UAB pro day, where he turned in specs that would have bested those of any receiver at the NFL Combine.

As such, the Vikings drafted Webb as a wideout in the sixth round with the 199th overall selection, though Brad Childress later said that Webb would play quarterback in Minnesota.

Now that Chilly is out and Leslie Frazier is at the helm, Webb may very well get to use his 42.5 inch vertical leap and 4.43 speed as a target in the passing game should Brett Favre prove healthy enough to start.

Special Teams

Tom Dahlin/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 02: Ian Johnson #42 and Joe Webb #14 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrate a touchdown during an NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at the Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, on September 2, 2010 in Minn

For those playing in fantasy leagues where special teams stats make an impact, Joe Webb may also turn out to be a valuable option.

Of course, anyone with Webb's size, speed, and elusiveness should be considered a threat in the return game, and Webb certainly is just that.

Webb recorded a 30-yard kick return in the Vikings' 38-14 romp over the Buffalo Bills, therein displaying his versatility even further as a potential steal on special teams.

Conclusion: Start Him If You Have An All-Purpose Slot Open

Nick Laham/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings talks with teammate Joe Webb #14 as they leave the field after defeating the Buffalo Bills at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minn

Ultimately, it's difficult to predict Joe Webb's fantasy value until his role in the Vikings offense is more concretely defined.

However, for those with teams in fantasy leagues that allow for all-purpose players, Webb could turn out to be a rather productive option, particularly if Minnesota utilizes his physical gifts around the field.

In essence, the addition of Webb to a fantasy roster is a low-risk move with a potentially high reward.