Vikings fantasy football outlook: Thielen a WR1 against Colts

The Minnesota Vikings started the 2020 regular season 0-1 and will travel to Indianapolis to play the Colts in a Week 2 matchup.

Indianapolis also came out on the losing end in Week 1, so a battle between two desperate teams trying to avoid an 0-2 record could lead to some interesting fantasy performances.

Each week, we’ll take a look at the players with fantasy value on the Vikings and their opponent. Player matchups are graded on a 1-5 scale of football emojis, from “don’t even think about starting him” (?) to “you’re a fool if you bench this guy” (?????).

Here’s how Week 2 against the Colts shakes out.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

QB Kirk Cousins: ???

Cousins had 259 passing yards and two touchdowns plus 34 yards rushing in the Vikings’ 43-34 loss to the Packers. Granted, a good chunk of those passing statistics came in garbage time, but it counts the same in fantasy as Cousins recorded 21.76 points in Week 1 (based on a standard fantasy scoring system). Cousins is not the best option for Week 2 but if you don’t have a clear better option then he can fill in well, especially against a Colts defense that let Jacksonville Jaguars’ QB Gardner Minshew toss three touchdowns (while completing all but one pass attempt). Cousins’ running ability could be a factor as well and a possible rushing TD from No. 8 makes him intriguing.

RB Dalvin Cook: ?????

Cook is a much richer man today than he was a week ago at this time and if you continue to start him on your team then he can help you make some dough, too. The Florida State product finished with 21.80 fantasy points with 12 rushes for 50 yards and two touchdowns along with a two-point conversion against Green Bay. He probably could have recorded more points if the Vikings did not fall behind by such a big margin early on and had to abandon the run. He also had only one reception after collecting 53 (average of 3.8 per game) last season. If Minnesota plays a close game or leads against the Colts on Sunday then Cook should have a better day and get more involved in the passing game.

WR Adam Thielen: ?????

Thielen is the Vikings’ clear No. 1 receiver and he produced statistically at that level to the tune of six catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns. That all led to a clean 31 points in fantasy for Thielen, which was third among all NFL receivers. Considering Indy gave up three receiving touchdowns to Jacksonville wideouts in Week 1 and that Minnesota receivers Bisi Johnson and Justin Jefferson are easily the second and third options for Cousins, Thielen is a no-doubt start this weekend.

RB Alexander Mattison: ???

As far as NFL backup running backs go, Mattison is a decent option. If you have a solid duo or trio of running backs in your lineup then steer clear of Mattison, but if you’re in a bind, he could fill in. He had 50 yards rushing and four receptions for 30 yards against Green Bay and played in 36.5% of Minnesota’s offensive snaps, so it looks like the Vikings want to continue to feature him in the offense.

WR Olabisi Johnson: ?

There are just too many productive NFL wide receivers to warrant a Johnson start this Sunday. He had a solid game with three catches for 56 yards (8.6 points in a PPR league) and did play in 63% of the Vikings’ offensive snaps in Week 1, so there is opportunity. He came on towards the end of last season and will continue to be a part of Minnesota’s offense, so keep an eye on him down the road but not this week.

WR Justin Jefferson: ?

Many of the same points about Johnson apply to Jefferson. The rookie flashed some potential with two catches for 26 yards, but do you really trust Jefferson in his second NFL game?

TE Kyle Rudolph: ??

Unlike the wide receivers in the NFL, there are just fewer starting-worthy tight ends in the league. Rudolph had 4.8 fantasy points to start the season and as pedestrian as that was, he did better than high-profile tight ends Eric Ebron, Evan Engram, Rob Gronkowski and Austin Hooper. Rudolph has continuity with Cousins and is still a red-zone threat so he is a reasonable start, depending on who else is on your roster. Also keep in mind that Jacksonville tight end Tyler Eifert had just one catch (for eight yards) vs. the Colts in Week 1.

TE Irv Smith Jr.: ? 

Smith Jr. appears to have a good future with the Vikings but it would be wise not to play him this week. He probably will not get a ton of targets and until he becomes a bigger part of the offense then it would be best to put someone else in your lineup.

Vikings D/ST: ?

Do not start the Vikings defense this week. Minnesota likely will not be as bad as it was against Green Bay, but those cornerbacks are still extremely inexperienced and Philip Rivers is a veteran who can take advantage. Add in the fact that Danielle Hunter will not be back until at least Week 4 and there is no real reason to play the Vikings D/ST.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

QB Philip Rivers: ???

We saw how the Vikings’ defense fares against an experienced quarterback last week and it seems unlikely that a drastic shift will happen by Sunday. Rivers is no Aaron Rodgers of course, but after passing for 363 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions against Jacksonville, he still can rack up yards even if it does not come in the most aesthetically pleasing fashion. If you can’t decide on a starter, Rivers could be the right option simply because he will have the opportunity to gain yardage against the Minnesota cornerbacks.

RB Nyheim Hines: ???? (PPR) ??? (non-PPR)

Hines had a spectacular Week 1 outing and with Marlon Mack out for the season, he will get even more chances. Hines scored 27.30 fantasy points, which was fourth-best among running backs, by rushing for 28 yards and a touchdown and catching eight balls for 45 yards and a house call. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and score in multiple ways. What more could you ask for?

RB Jonathan Taylor: ???

Indianapolis head coach Frank Reich said Taylor will start in Week 2. Still, expect the load to be shared, and, as mentioned above, Hines, in a one-week small-sample size, did catch more passes and had a red-zone touchdown run. That being said, Taylor had six catches and while he rushed for just 22 yards on nine carries, he was a touchdown maker and big-time rush producer at Wisconsin. We have the feeling Taylor will be the man eventually for the Colts, but in Week 2 you might need to hedge your bet.

WR T.Y. Hilton: ????

Hilton only gets four balls because his teammate Parris Campbell had more receiving yards than he did against Jacksonville, but you should trust Hilton’s track record and start him. He will be extra motivated after the Colts’ loss and, like Davante Adams, is also a great route runner so he should be able to find separation.

TE Jack Doyle: ?? 

It’s hard to know much about Minnesota’s defense against tight ends after one week because Green Bay doesn’t really utilize that position in the pass game. But last season, the Vikings allowed the fewest fantasy points per game (4.9 in non-PPR leagues) to tight ends. The Colts do like to use the tight end, however, and Doyle had four targets with three catches for 49 yards in Week 1. We expect Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris to keep tight end numbers down again in 2020.