Minnesota Vikings Roster
- NFC North
- Stadium
- U.S. Bank Stadium
- Head Coach
- Kevin O'Connell
- Offensive Coordinator
- Wes Phillips
- Defensive Coordinator
- Ed Donatell
- Special Teams Coach
- Matt Daniels
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has high expectations heading into the season. With the Vikings hiring former Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell to serve as its head coach, the wideout believes he will benefit, similar to how Cooper Kupp thrived in the same system. The 23-year-old finished the 2021-22 campaign by posting spectacular numbers, accumulating 1,616 yards and 10 touchdowns off 108 receptions, all while averaging an impressive 15.0 yards per catch. Although having Kirk Cousins under center is a step down from Matthew Stafford, there's still no reason why Jefferson can't finish as the league's top fantasy receiver.
Minnesota Vikings rookie third-round linebacker Brian Asamoah's sideline-to-sideline speed was evident in non-contact practices this offseason, as was his confidence. He joked with an assistant coach that he wanted $5 every time he ran past someone. "I'm a rich man now," Asamoah said, "because I keep passing them." The 22-year-old was a two-year starter at Oklahoma, and he can play either linebacker or safety. It's not clear yet where he'll be used in Minnesota, but he probably won't be anything more than a rotational player on defense with versatility and speed to spare.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn made a name for himself during his second season in 2021. He hauled in 50 receptions with 655 receiving yards and seven touchdowns through 17 games. Those are fairly solid numbers for a player who is the third option behind Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. The hope is that Osborn will improve with the Vikings likely passing more often in 2022. The Vikings are expected to see use more three receiver sets under new head coach Kevin O'Connell. There's a chance that Osborn holds flex value on a weekly basis, but fantasy managers will have to wait and see. Osborn is certainly someone worth thinking about during the late rounds on draft day.
Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. (knee) has been a fully practicing during minicamp. That is a great sign after Smith suffered a torn meniscus in early September that ended his 2021 campaign. That being said, backup tight end Tyler Conklin stepped up and delivered without Smith on the field. However, Conklin signed with the New York Jets, so Smith is back to being the main tight end. Smith put together a promising season in 2020, so hopefully he can continue to develop. There's certainly top-12 PPR upside with Smith heading into next season.
After mostly serving as a blocker and catching just 10 passes in five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt (knee) expects to be used as more of a pass-catcher as the primary backup to Irv Smith Jr. in 2022. Mundt has been working on the side during offseason practices after recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered last October. But the 27-year-old's recovery is "going great" and he'll be "ready to go during training camp" in late July. Mundt followed coaches Kevin O'Connell and Wes Phillips to Minnesota, and the Vikings are expected to use him much more as a pass-catcher. However, unless Smith suffers an injury, Mundt is unlikely to have a ton of fantasy value.
