Fantasy Football Player Notes
2024 Draft Rankings
5.
Justin Jefferson
WR
Justin Jefferson finished the season 5th in points per game (16.8) despite missing seven games and losing starting quarterback Kirk Cousins. Still, he had a standout season with 68 receptions from 100 targets, gaining a total of 1,074 receiving yards. Jefferson found the end zone 5 times, showcasing his ability to convert receptions into touchdowns. He commanded a 28% target share, 41% air yards share and finished 8th in weighted opportunity. Before Cousins' injury, he led all WRs in fantasy points scored (21.7 per game). Jefferson's ability to perform without Cousins last season suggests he can still produce in the Vikings 2024 offense that will be without it's former QB. He is going to fall in drafts as a result. But Weeks 15-18, Jefferson was still a clear-cut ALPHA without Cousins. 18.4 points per game (WR3) averaging 119 receiving yards per game. Believe that whether it's Sam Darnold or 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy under center, believe this offensive infrastructure set up by Kevin O'Connell will fuel arguably the best WR in the NFL.
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59.
Aaron Jones
RB
Father Time comes calling for all of us. The hope for Aaron Jones is that he can keep him at bay for one more year. Last season, Jones objectively wasn't healthy until the end of the season. Luckily for him, when he was healthy, we got to see that Jones has plenty left in the tank to consider reinvesting in him in fantasy for one more season. In Weeks 15-20, Jones averaged 21.6 touches and 120.3 total yards as he was a weekly stud. During that same stretch, among 47 qualifying backs, he was eighth in explosive run rate and 10th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Jones should lead the Vikings backfield in 2024 as an RB2 with RB1 upside if he can stay healthy.
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79.
Jordan Addison
WR
Jordan Addison ended the season with 70 receptions on 108 targets, amassing 911 yards at an average of 13 yards per reception. His long play of the season was a 62-yard catch. He was particularly effective in the red zone, scoring 10 touchdowns (5th) on a 17% target share. Totaled over 1,300 air yards. He played in all 17 games, contributing consistently to the Vikings' offense, with a total of 186.3 fantasy points, averaging about 11 points per game (WR28). Addison averaged slightly more points per game 12.2 (22% target share and 4 TDs) versus 10.1 (6 TDs) with Justin Jefferson sidelined. Considering the team will likely be without T.J. Hockenson to start the 2024 season coming off a torn ACL/MCL, Addison initially looked like a strong bet to return early low-end WR2 value in Year 2. However his stock will be hurt without Kirk Cousins under center in 2024.
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114.
T.J. Hockenson
TE
T.J. Hockenson would have been drafted as a top-six tight end in the vast majority of 2024 fantasy leagues if he hadn't torn his ACL and MCL on Dec. 24, putting his early-season availability for the new season in doubt. It's possible that the recovery from multiple ligament tears will keep Hockenson out until around midseason, and that he won't be his typically impactful self immediately upon his return. A healthy Hockenson is a fantasy difference-maker. He had 86 catches for 914 yards and six touchdowns in 2022, good for a TE2 finish in PPR fantasy scoring behind only Travis Kelce. Hockenson was having an even better season in 2023, with 95 catches for 960 yards and five touchdowns before the injury. Monitor the reports on Hockenson's recovery throughout the offseason, and resist the temptation to overspend on a player trying to come back from major knee surgery.
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139.
Ty Chandler
RB
With Aaron Jones now in Minnesota, Ty Chandler will be a backup for the Vikings in 2024. In Weeks 15-18, he played at least 53% of the snaps in every game, averaging 15.3 touches and 81.8 total yards. Chandler topped 90 total yards once in that four-game span, and his per-touch efficiency was in the toilet overall. Among 49 qualifying backs, Chandler ranked 47th last season in missed tackles forced per attempt and yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Chandler had hope entering this offseason that he had hopefully done enough in 2023 to have a shot at the starter's role, but sadly, that isn't in the cards for next season.
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167.
J.J. McCarthy
QB
The Vikings have tabbed McCarthy as the successor to Kirk Cousins, trading up one spot to select the University of Michigan product with the No. 10 pick in the draft. McCarthy has a strong arm, good mobility and an impressive track record of success that includes a national championship last season and a 61-3 record as a starter since high school. McCarthy steps into a good situation, with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at wide receiver and T.J. Hockenson at tight end (though Hockenson sustained a major knee injury late last year). Rookie struggles may be inevitable, but McCarthy has a chance to provide QB2 fantasy value as a rookie.
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212.
Minnesota Vikings
DST
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305.
Sam Darnold
QB
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318.
Cam Akers
RB
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391.
Johnny Mundt
TE
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434.
Brandon Powell
WR
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444.
Josh Oliver
TE
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480.
Trent Sherfield
WR
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