As we head towards the beginning of the regular season, the fantasy football draft season is hitting it's peak. Some of you may have already had your draft (why you do it so early in the pre-season baffles me), but many of you are looking for that late round 'steal', that guy that comes out of nowhere and puts up monster numbers, or at a minimum, gives you reliable flex position numbers for those of you in leagues that have that setup.
So who are the Vikings that are the top candidates for sleepers this year? To be quite honest, I think there are several, and any one of these guys could prove to be the difference between your fantasy team making the playoffs.
RB Toby Gerhart - Gerhart is now the full-fledged #2 behind Adrian Peterson, so for those of you that get Peterson in your draft (that's me, got the #1 overall pick--woo hoo!!) he is a must get in the later rounds. But that said, his role will be expanded (think Chester Taylor from a couple of years ago) and Gerhart will get his fair share of touches. He's not a week to week starter, but he's worth kicking the tires on.
QB Donovan McNabb -- McNabb had his worst year last season in Washington, but in Minnesota he has a couple things going for him that he didn't with the Redskins. He has a great running game, and he has more weapons to throw to. McNabb might be worth a later round pick to put on your bench as a backup or spot starter. I think he's going to throw for more than 20 TD passes this year, and will be a guy worth looking at.
WR Bernard Berrian -- Bernard Berrian is a guy on his last chance with the Vikings. He's two years removed from being essentially a 1,000 yard receiver, but was hampered by injuries in 2009 and general suckiness in 2010. Most Viking observers had him pegged for the waiver wire, but the Vikings and Berrian agreed to a contract resturcturing, and coach Leslie Frazier has expressed confidence in Berrian. It wouldn't surprise me to see BErrian get around 800 yards with 5 scores this year.
WR Michael Jenkins -- Jenkins has looked better than any other receiver in camp not named Percy Harvin. Jenkins, who is familiar with Bill Musgrave's offense already, can be a guy that will get those 10-15 yard sit downs along the sideline and over the middle. He's a big guy (6'4"), and could be come a favorite of McNabb's inthe red zone, as his size will allow him to out jump anyone that is covering him.