It’s that time of year, folks: fantasy football draft season. Over the next two weeks, about 40 million Americans will pretend to be general managers, assembling a roster worthy of winning a championship that so often eludes their favorite team in real life.
As fans of the Minnesota Vikings, we know what that’s all about. Hey, did you know 2026 will mark the 50th anniversary of our last Super Bowl run? Quite a milestone. The good news? Halley’s Comet still has about 25 years or so on us between its
appearances.
Laughter always beats despair.
Let’s take a look at the Vikings’ fantasy projections and rankings and have some fun. I asked the AI-thingy to compile consensus numbers from multiple sites, and this is what it came back with. This is for your standard 1 QB, full-point, point-per-reception (PPR) format.
(If you’ve already drafted, my apologies. Take solace in the fact that I usually stink at fantasy football.)
Kyler Murray
Consensus Rank: QB17 (ADP 136 overall)
Projected Statistics: 3,499 passing yards, 23.5 TDs-14 INTs, 476 rushing yards, 3.4 TDs
Overvalued, Undervalued, or Just Right? Undervalued.
I touched on this last time. That would be nearly 1,000 passing yards and over 10 passing TDs fewer than Sam Darnold had in 2024. Yes, I know he’s never surpassed 26 passing TDs, but Darnold never threw more than 19 before hitting 35 in a Vikings uniform. KOC is still calling the plays, our offensive line is legit, the running game looks strong and balanced, and we’ve added Jauan Jennings. If he stays healthy, which is not an unserious concern given the past five seasons, those projections should be closer to the floor. Given the weapons, Murray can absolutely approach Top 10 QB fantasy production if he plays the full slate.
Justin Jefferson
Consensus Rank: WR6 (ADP 13 overall)
Projected Statistics: 98.6 receptions, 1,311 yards, 7.1 TDs
Overvalued, Undervalued, or Just Right? Just Right.
The #1 wide receiver in real life has historically been held back in fantasy by shaky, inconsistent QB play and fewer touchdowns than his elite counterparts. His best is tied for 6th twice, in 2021 and 2024. Murray reclaiming his 2024 form will help, but there are too many mouths to feed in this offense to bet on seeing the Griddy double-digit times. Addison, Hockenson, and Jennings will be the beneficiaries of Jefferson’s presence in too many red zone opportunities. Those numbers seem right to me.
Jordan Addison
Consensus Rank: WR46 (ADP 105 overall)
Projected Statistics: 55.2 receptions, 758 yards, 5.4 TDs
Overvalued, Undervalued, or Just Right? Just Right.
The question surrounding Addison’s fantasy output is how much an improved WR3 on paper in Jauan Jennings eats into his production. Even with terrible QB play and missing the first three games of the 2025 season, Addison still posted 42 receptions and 3 receiving scores. Jefferson’s injury skewed the 2023 season, so 2024 is probably the best comparison. I could definitely see Jennings taking the equivalent of 7 receptions, 115 yards, and 3 TDs from Addison’s stats. Murray and Addison seem to have decent chemistry in training camp, but other factors make me less confident in the over.
Jauan Jennings
Consensus Rank: WR56 (ADP 155 overall)
Projected Statistics: 48.7 receptions, 558 yards, 5.2 TDs
Overvalued, Undervalued, or Just Right? Overvalued.
Wait a minute. I just said Jauan Jennings would eat into Addison’s numbers; now he’s overvalued? While I believe Jennings will largely surpass Jalen Nailor’s numbers (29 receptions, 444 yards, 4 TDs), that doesn’t mean he will hit all the projections. I can see the TDs, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he falls short on receptions and yards. Why? Because of the next guy.
T.J. Hockenson
Consensus Rank: TE23 (ADP 149)
Projected Statistics: 63.9 receptions, 575 yards, 3.3 TDs
Overvalued, Undervalued, or Just Right? Undervalued.
While fantasy football experts have written Hockenson off as an afterthought, I see several factors aligning for a resurgence. He’s playing for his next contract after the restructure, and he’s welcoming a new QB who isn’t shy about throwing to the tight end. Does that mean he’ll approach the 126 and 111 receptions Trey McBride hauled in the past two seasons, respectively? No. But I see a season closer to 2023 than 2025. That means numbers that comfortably exceed the current, underwhelming expectations. Something along the lines of 80ish receptions, 700+ yards, and 5-7 TDs seems achievable if Hockenson stays relatively healthy.
Aaron Jones, Sr.
Consensus Rank: RB40 (ADP 119)
Projected Statistics: 638 rush yards, 3.1 TDs, 40.7 receptions, 1.7 TDs.
Overvalued, Undervalued, or Just Right? Just Right.
While it’s always wise to avoid unpredictable split-backfield scenarios in fantasy football, I do believe Jones will be right around these modest projections as Jordan Mason assumes a greater role. Jones’s value is as a receiver, but you have to balance that against the fact that Mason will likely take the bulk of the goal-line carries. Hitting the rushing TD number could depend on Jones breaking one or two longer runs. Not unreasonable, given an improved offensive line this year.
Jordan Mason
Consensus Rank: RB38 (ADP 104-107)
Projected Statistics: 878 rush yards, 6.1 TDs, 14.5 receptions
Overvalued, Undervalued, or Just Right? Undervalued.
Along with Hockenson, Jordan Mason is the other player I’m really bullish on this season. I love the way Mason runs and his elite ability to shed contact. I can see his role increase as the season progresses, to the point where he approaches 1,000+ yards. I’m loving the over on rushing TDs, and I do expect a bit more in the passing game as well.
Will Reichard
Consensus Rank: K12 (ADP 229)
Projected Statistics: 30.9 FGs, 38 XPs, 130.7 PTs
Overvalued, Undervalued, or Just Right? Undervalued
What absolute disrespect for the Vikings’ reigning MVP. Despite the worst collective quarterback play in (at least) 12 years, Will the Thrill was still K6 in fantasy scoring last season. Add the revenge story arc from Wiregate, and you have the perfect formula for dominance. Never doubt the Michael Phelps of aura Olympians.
Vikings D/ST
Consensus Rank: DST7 (ADP 180)
Projected Statistics: 49.3 sacks, 12.6 INT, 12.1 FR, 18.1 FF, 2.4 TD, 112.8 PTs
Overvalued, Undervalued, or Just Right? Just Right.
As pumped as I am about the potential of this Brian Flores-led unit in 2026 – he’s dropping Big Citrus into coverage in preseason games – this is a fair ranking. While I think this will end up an elite, Top 5 unit in advanced metrics, questions remain. Dallas Turner has had an amazing training camp, but he still needs to prove he’s taken the next steps in the regular season. Will Caleb Banks be as advertised? This raises bigger questions about the defensive line after the team lost Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. Again, I have faith that things will all work out. But these numbers either largely align with or will improve on 2025. Can’t really get too worked up about this one.
CONCLUSION
If all goes according to plan and Kyler Murray parties like 2024 Sam Darnold, the Vikings should have an explosive, fun offense this season. His dual-threat ability makes the possibilities even more exciting. While this should translate to plenty of points on the scoreboard, the fantasy potential is somewhat tempered by an embarrassment of riches. There are a lot of mouths to feed on offense, and the lack of a clear-cut RB1 doesn’t help, either.
On defense, Flores should have this team dominant once again. Some concerns remain, but they don’t worry me much.
Will Reichard will soon be featured in his own line of comic books and action figures, like all legit superheroes, along with the inevitable big-budget summer blockbuster coming to a theater near you very soon.
So, how’d I do? Let me know what you think in the comments. And good luck!
