32 Fantasy Previews: Minnesota Vikings

We wrap up our NFC North portion of 32 Fantasy Previews with a look at the Minnesota Vikings.

Christian Ponder

Last year's 1st round pick started the season on the bench. But after Donovan McNabb struggled, Ponder was promoted to starter, and his first pass was nearly an long TD to Michael Jenkins. Instead, it was ruled that Jenkins was out of bounds at the 1.

Ponder finished with just under 1,900 yards, 13 TDs and 13 INTs in 11 games played.

Minnesota added new weapons in the offseason, drafting WRs Joe Adams and Greg Childs and signing free agent WR Jerome Simpson.

At this point, Ponder should only be considered as a low QB2, or a backup in 2QB leagues.

Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart

When healthy, Adrian Peterson is clearly one of the best, if not the best, back in the NFL.

Unfortunately, Peterson is not healthy at the moment. Peterson suffered an ACL and MCL tear in Week 16 and is still rehabbing his knee.

He missed 3 additional games before his ACL tear with an ankle injury, but still amassed 973 yards and 12 rushing TDs,, as well as one receiving TD.

Peterson found the end zone in all but 3 games he played in.

While recent reports have said Peterson's rehab is going well, and that he has beaten his teammates, including Percy Harvin, in straight line races, it's still difficult to be 100% sure that he will back 100% for Week 1.

In fact, Peterson could start the season on the PUP list, meaning he would miss the first 6 games of the season.

Enter Toby Gerhart.

If AP can't go, Gerhart will be man in the Vikings' backfield.

If the 4 games AP missed, Gerhart put up 62 carries for 292 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and one touchdown. He also had one receiving touchdown during AP's absence, and two receiving TDs while AP was in action (Week 15 against the Saints).

Somehow, someway, on My Fantasy League, Gerhart is the 51st RB off the board. FIFTY-FIRST! If AP can't go, that is tremendous value in the 13th round.

Percy Harvin

Percy Harvin seems to be fairly overlooked based on the fact that he plays for the Vikings.

But the truth is, Harvin was the 7th highest scoring fantasy WR in 2011 with 967 receiving yards on 87 receptions, 342 rushing yards (even got 51 rushing attempts) and scored 8 total touchdowns.

Harvin is the #1 WR in this offense and can do it all. Catch passes, run reverses, line up in the backfield, even return kicks.

If AP is out for some time, not only will Gerhart get backfield touches, but look for Harvin to do the same thing, adding more value.

His current ADP is in Round 4 as the 15th WR off the board. Coming off a WR7 season, and with Ponder improving, Harvin can put up another top 15, possibly top-10 season, especially in return yardage leagues.

As far as the other WRs go, Jerome Simpson will be suspended for the first 3 games of the season, so in that time, look for either Greg Childs or Michael Jenkins to line up opposite Harvin.

But once his suspension is over, Simpson should step right into the #2 role, and could be a deep sleeper. Childs will develop, and Jenkins is more known for his blocking.

Simpson could be worth a flyer in deeper leagues.

Kyle Rudolph

Sleeper TE alert.

Visanthe Shiancoe is pretty much gone, but Minnesota did sign John Carlson.

But really, the TE in Minnesota is going to be Rudolph. Add Shiancoe's numbers to Rudolph, and he has over 700 yards receiving.

I think Carlson will be more of a blocking TE and Rudolph will be the one running passing routes.

Right now, he's a TE2, worth rostering as a backup TE, which is where he is going right now, as the 16th TE off the board, ahead of guys such as Owen Daniels and Greg Olsen.

And with that, the NFC North is in the books. Next time, we begin the NFC South with the New Orleans Saints.