Fantasy Football Draft 2009: Top 5 Minnesota Vikings to Draft

The Minnesota Vikings are a team on the rise in the NFL. Behind an offense that features Adrian Peterson, and a Defense that topped the league against the run, Minnesota looks to improve on their 10-6 record of 2008. What that means to Fantasy Football owners is that the Vikings have a rich pool of young talent to go after this year. Here then are the top 5 Minnesota Vikings to take during a 2009 Fantasy Football Draft.

Adrian Peterson (RB)

Adrian Peterson is in a league of his own, and he's a Fantasy Football god in the making. Last year the NFL's premier running back rushed for over 100 yards in 10 games during the regular season to post a league leading 1,760 yards on 363 carries. Though he is not used often in the role, Peterson is also a cable and dangerous receiver, and there is no reason why he won't get you 1,700 -2,000 yards from scrimmage for the next five years to come. Peterson will go first over all in most leagues, so if you are lucky enough to find him on the board when your turn comes, grab him.

Bernard Berrian (WR)

Berrian is a deep pass threat who racked up 964 yards in only 48 receptions last year, adding 7 touchdowns in the process. Bernard has flirted with the 1,000 yard barrier each of his last two seasons, and may be on the verge of a breakout season in 2009. Still, the Vikings top receiver seemed to do his best work when Tavaris Jackson was not on the field. In order for Berrian to push it to the next level he needs to get comfortable with Jackson running the offense, though there is no reason to believe that won't be the case this season.

Ryan Longwell (K)

After years of kicking in Green Bay, Longwell now kicks in a dome stadium which may account for his accuracy (6 for 6) from over 50 yards out. After two seasons of scoring +90 points, Longwell also made it back onto the +120 plateau, and with the Viking's offense begining to mature, you can expect another good season out of Longwell. Though he will probably not get you the 29 field goals, and 40 extra points he got in 2008, look for Longwell to get close to those numbers. Overall, he is as solid a choice as you can make with the kicking game this year.

Chester Taylor (RB)

The fact that the Vikings will use Taylor more often in a passing scheme than Peterson, means that this former 1,000 yard back will get his fair share of yards from scrimmage during the season. Last season, despite the +350 touches given to Peterson, Taylor still got his hands on the ball (101 carries, 45 catches) enough to net 798 yards from scrimmage and 6 touchdowns. The fact that he added an additional 234 yards in returns means he will have a slightly higher value in leagues that count return yards. Still, play close attention to the what the Vikings will be doing on offense this year before committing to Taylor, with all-purpose wide receiver Percy Harvin being taken in the first round by Minnesota, there may be a lot less touches to go around this year.

Tavaris Jackson (QB)

Jackson closed out the season in spectacular fashion after missing 9 games early on. His numbers in December included 8 TDs and only one INT in 4 games. If their is one QB poised for a breakout year in 2009, it's Jackson, and the fact that he can run with the ball and get you additional yards and TDs is an added bonus. Though he remains a risky pick given his lack of experience, Jackson he is worth drafting in a backup capacity.

Rookie Sleeper: Percy Harvin (WR)

With a lack of depths at the receiver position, Minnesota spent their first round pick on all-purpose Florida wide receiver Percry Harvin. Harvin, who is lightning fast, can catch, run and return kicks. Though he failed a drug test at the NFL Combine, Harvin is a rookie Fantasy Football owners should keep an eye on this year.

Statistical Sources:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams