Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart
- NFC North
- Stadium
- U.S. Bank Stadium
- Head Coach
- Mike Zimmer
- Offensive Coordinator
- Klint Kubiak
- Defensive Coordinator
- Adam Zimmer & Andre Patterson
- Special Teams Coach
- Ryan Ficken
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Bisi Johnson will head into his third pro season hoping to lock down the third receiver role in the offense. Johnson was the 'star' of last year's training camp, earning rave reviews with highlight-reel catches during practices. Unfortunately, those performances did not translate over to the regular season games and rookie teammate Justin Jefferson soared past him on the depth chart. Johnson finished the season with only 14 receptions for 189 yards and zero touchdowns and will need a strong preseason to carve out a role in the offense in 2021.
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison will head into training camp as one of the top fantasy handcuff options in the NFL. The 23-year-old posted 434 rushing yards last season, averaging 4.5 yards per carry with two touchdowns. He will backup one of the best running backs in the game in Dalvin Cook yet Cook's health is always something to monitor from a fantasy perspective. When given a full run, Mattison can easily handle lead back duties when given the chance, as evidenced by his 20-carry, 112-yard performance in Week 5 against the Seahawks last season. Any fantasy team that selects Cook will need to consider adding Mattison as insurance in the final rounds of upcoming drafts.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Bisi Johnson has "a huge advantage and head start" for the No. 3 receiver job behind Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson because of his highly touted route-running skills, in the opinion of Vikings analyst Ben Leber. Johnson will be competing with fifth-round rookie Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Chad Beebe. Smith-Marsette is more of a deep threat because of his speed, but he could challenge Johnson is he is a quick learner and becomes more versatile. In his two seasons with the Vikes, Johnson has 45 catches for 483 yards and three touchdowns in 32 games (nine starts). Because the 24-year-old isn't a lock for a starting job yet and because of the fact that the No. 3 receiver in Minnesota's run-first offense won't see a consistent target share, Johnson probably isn't worth a roster spot in standard-sized fantasy leagues.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, the team's fifth-round selection this year, was praised for his body control heading into the NFL draft. He ran track and also played water polo in high school, and he'll likely be asked "to do things that maybe are less sexy" and flashy than typical receivers. Smith-Marsette may not see a ton of targets in Minnesota's run-first, play-action offense, but his top-end speed and quickness in space will make him an intriguing weapon, and he could compete for the return duties on special teams. Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson are locked into the top two receiver spots, but Smith-Marsette will be in the mix for the third receiving job alongside Bisi Johnson and Chad Beebe in training camp. For now, Smith-Marsette will be a late-round flier in dynasty/keeper leagues.
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Michael Pierce (calf) suffered a calf injury while training, and his availability for the start of training camp is now in doubt, according to a source. Pierce might wind up missing some time this month, but it's not expected to keep him off the field to begin the regular season. The 28-year-old sat out his first season in Minnesota due to concerns over COVID-19 last year, but he should be available for Week 1, barring any setbacks. In his first four seasons in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, Pierce had 151 tackles (13 for loss), 13 QB hits, four fumble recoveries and 3.5 sacks in 60 games (30 starts). He's off the radar in IDP leagues as an interior defensive lineman.