Vikings Fantasy Preview: Week 7 vs. Eagles

Image courtesy of Vikings.com

The midway point of the fantasy football season is almost upon us and anyone who owns a current Minnesota Vikings player likely is not jumping for joy over their recent performances. While it is great that the team is 5-0 this season, the skill players on the Vikings’ roster have been far from fantasy superstardom as of late.

For the people who own wide receiver Stefon Diggs or tight end Kyle Rudolph, those smiles from early in the year have quickly faded away. Hopes and dreams for these players may have to wait another week as they will be facing one of the NFL’s top ranked defenses this season in the Philadelphia Eagles.

But the one thing about fantasy football that makes it so great are the player performances that seem to come out of nowhere (Adam Thielen owners know all about this). Do any skill players on Minnesota’s roster have the potential for a big day this weekend?

Quarterback:

Sam Bradford

One of the more intriguing quarterback matchups of the week as Bradford will be facing a team that he was a part of less than two months ago. Perhaps there will be a little extra motivation to perform well against his former team on Sunday.

Extra motivation may be the only hope for Bradford to have a big time performance this weekend as the Eagles are giving up the least fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks in 2016. Philadelphia’s defense has four interceptions on the season and has yet to allow a quarterback to throw for more than 265 yards this year.

However, after allowing zero passing touchdowns in their first three games of 2016, the Eagles have allowed the last two quarterbacks they have faced to throw for a total of five touchdowns. So Bradford should at least have a few opportunities to get the ball in the end zone on Sunday.

Week 7 Projection: 12.6 points (225 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)

Running Back:

Jerick McKinnon

During the Vikings’ Week 4 game against the New York Giants, McKinnon seemed like he was going to be a solid fantasy performer in his new role as the team’s featured back. But in Minnesota’s next game versus the Houston Texans, the running back’s 1.8 yards per attempt on 20 carries left plenty more to be desired.

Philadelphia is coming off a game where they allowed the Washington Redskins to rack up 230 rushing yards. That has to bring a bit of relief to McKinnon, who will be looking to rebound from his performance against the Texans.

It may be a good idea for fantasy owners to just keep McKinnon on their bench for now until he can show more consistency each week.

Week 7 Projection: 9 points (17 touches, 78 total yards, 0 TDs)

Wide Receiver:

Stefon Diggs

It is seeming like Diggs will be able to play this week after missing the Vikings’ Week 5 game against Houston with a groin injury.

Even if he is able to put the pads on this weekend, Minnesota’s young wide receiver has the task of facing a tough Eagles’ defense that has allowed the seventh fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers in 2016. Good luck Stefon.

The one thing going for Diggs this week may be that Philadelphia has seemed to struggle more with covering smaller, quicker pass catchers (Antonio Brown, Eddie Royal, Jamison Crowder) like the Vikings receiver. But it still may not be enough to convince some fantasy owners to start Diggs in their lineups this weekend.

Week 7 Projection: 8.1 points (5 catches, 64 yards, 0 TDs)

(Note: Picking up Adam Thielen or Cordarrelle Patterson and stashing them on your bench may not be a bad idea right now in case either player begins to catch fire.)

Tight End:

Kyle Rudolph

As Minnesota’s current leader in targets (37) this season, Rudolph is still a must start every week.

The Vikings’ tight end cooled down a bit against the Texans in Week 5 (two catches, 15 yards), so he will be looking to get back on track this Sunday in Philadelphia. However, there is a good chance he could be kept out of the end zone for the second straight game this weekend.

The Eagles’ defense is giving up the second fewest points to opposing tight ends this season. No player from the position group has gained more than 50 receiving yards in a game against Philadelphia in 2016.

Due to his targets, fantasy owners should still keep Rudolph in their lineups on Sunday. But benching him this weekend would not be the worst of ideas either based on his matchup.

Week 7 Projection: 7 points (4 catches, 46 yards, 0 TDs)

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