Minnesota Vikings Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes, listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, will play today vs the 49ers. Rhodes is one of the best CBs in the NFL, and is a big part of why the Vikings pass defense ranked 4th in DVOA and 1st in yards allowed per pass last season. Consider any pieces of the 49ers passing attack risky plays at best on this week 1 slate.

It'll be Remmers third straight absence due to a concussion. On the season, the Vikings are eighth in pass blocking efficiency (per PFF) and they held strong over the past two weeks without him, ranking ninth over the past two games and the line hasn't been charged with a sack. While Ziggy Ansah will be back, the Vikings appear to have the edge in the trenches - the Lions are 20th in adjusted sack rate (per FO).

The Redskins offensive line is healthy with all five starters active while the Vikings will be without Griffen, who's currently third in the league with 10 sacks. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has taken the most sacks in the league (10) over the past two weeks and he's been under pressure on 38.3% of his dropbacks, the fourth-most. However, a healthier line should limit the Vikings D/ST upside. It's still a tough matchup for Cousins from a fantasy perspective though, Minnesota's pass defense is fourth in yards per attempt (6.4) and eighth in passer rating (81.2). Not surprisingly, they've limited QBs to the fourth-fewest fantasy points this season.

Remmers is in the concussion protocol and won't be cleared in time to play the Redskins this weekend. His absence is a big one as he's PPF's 12th-ranked tackle this season, earning strong marks in both pass protection and run blocking. Washington has had a solid pass rush this season, ranking 12th in adjusted sack rate but they're 28th in adjusted line yards. Since Dalvin Cook's injury, Jerick McKinnon has picked up between 17 and 22 touches every game but he's been out-carried by Latavius Murray in each of the past two - Murray garnered 18 and 19 carries in those contests. Murray is expected to start and handle a good chunk of the early-down work while McKinnon takes on the passing-down role but he'll be on a short leash like he was in Week 8. He only managed 39 yards on those 19 attempts and he ended up being out-snapped 54 to 31 by McKinnon. Outside of one solid game for Murray, McKinnon has looked like the better back and McKinnon's added value in the passing game makes him the more appealing fantasy asset.

Crowder (hamstring) is expected to play through the questionable tag while Reed (hamstring) appears more doubtful after being downgraded to a DNP Friday. It's a tough spot for Crowder as he'll battle Terrence Newman in the slot; the CB has limited receivers to the 12th-fewest yards per cover snap (0.95) when lined up inside and a solid 59% catch rate - which is low for slot corners. The receiver had posted his best game of the year in Week 8, hauling in nine balls for 123 yards on 13 targets, and he'll try to pick things up where he left off. Reed hasn't been fully healthy all season and will likely be limited if he suits up. On top of that, Minnesota has held tight ends to the eighth-fewest yards this season (45/g). If he's ruled out, Vernon Davis would continue to operate as their top tight end. He drew nine targets last week while Reed was inactive and hauled in six for 79 yards. With Crowder expected to return, he may not see as many looks this time around. The Vikings rank seventh in adjusted sack rate, so a healthier line will be very important for the Redskins offense. Cousins has taken the most sacks in the league over the past two weeks (10), in large part due to the injuries up front. They have four starters questionable heading into Sunday.

LT Riley Reiff is also questionable. Diggs is expected to play in London against the Browns this weekend. If he's able to suit up, he could be shadowed by Jason McCourty (ankle, questionable) which presents a difficult matchup on the surface. The cornerback is having a renaissance year in Cleveland after a few down seasons and finishing in the bottom 18 in yards per cover snap and cover snaps per reception with the Titans in 2016. In 2017, he's found himself as PFF's third-ranked cover corner, although that grade may be a bit inflated due to his three interceptions - great production in real life, but worse for QBs than WRs in fantasy. In terms of receiver production, he's 35th in yards per cover snap and 39th in cover snaps per reception while allowing a 65.5% catch rate. Essentially, this appears to be a case where his PFF grade doesn't mean he's a shutdown corner to fear in DFS. The Browns may have one of those in slot corner Briean Boddy-Calhoun though. Despite playing all seven games, he's only been targeted an absurdly-low five times, allowing him to lead the league with 0.1 yards per cover snap and 54.5 cover snaps per reception. He was forced to the outside a little more than normal with McCourty out against the Titans last week but he still defended 18 routes in the slot. Eric Decker, who worked into his coverage on the outside and in the slot, finished with a blank sheet on just two targets. That sets up a daunting challenge for Adam Thielen this weekend whether Diggs is in or not. If McCourty sits, it'll force CB Michael Jordan into the nickel corner role and he'll man the outside. In that scenario, Diggs would see a combination of Jordan, who's earned poor grades over the past two seasons, and Jamar Taylor, who's allowed the seventh-most yards (391) and a 72.2% catch rate this year. It's a clear upgrade for the receiver.

Sendejo violated NFL's player safety rules with a big hit on Mike Wallace that forced the receiver from the game and into the concussion protocol. Minnesota will start Anthony Harris in his place this weekend against Cleveland unless he successfully appeals the suspension.

Diggs said his status for Sunday is up in the air but his return to practice is a step in the right direction. If he misses any more time, Adam Thielen would remain the top receiver. He took advantage of his opportunity last weekend, coming down with nine receptions for 97 yards against an injury-riddled Packers secondary. He may have a better matchup than it appears on paper against the Ravens this weekend as he'll battle Ladarius Webb in the slot. When inside, Webb is allowing the most yards per cover snap (2.11, per PFF) and a 68% catch rate. Case Keenum will likely remain the starter this weekend against the Ravens with Sam Bradford looking doubtful. It's a tough spot for the QB as Baltimore is currently holding passers to the second-lowest completion percentage (53.6%), fourth-lowest rating (71.1), and fifth-fewest yards per game (190). Barr's return to practice is good news for the Vikings defense a he's earned the eighth-best LB grade from PFF this season.

Diggs wanted to play last weekend but couldn't get clearance as he tends to a groin strain. If he misses any more time, Adam Thielen would remain the top receiver. He took advantage of his opportunity last weekend, coming down with nine receptions for 97 yards against an injury-riddled Packers secondary. He may have a better matchup than it appears on paper against the Ravens this weekend as he'll battle Ladarius Webb in the slot. When inside, Webb is allowing the most yards per cover snap (2.11, per PFF) and a 68% catch rate. Case Keenum will likely remain the starter this weekend against the Ravens if Sam Bradford is unable to return, although Teddy Bridgewater did return to practice Wednesday. It's a tough spot for the QB as Baltimore is currently holding passers to the second-lowest completion percentage (53.6%), fourth-lowest rating (71.1), and fifth-fewest yards per game (190). Barr's absence could have a big impact on the Vikings defense, he's earned the eighth-best LB grade from PFF this season.

Both players were questionable heading into Monday night. Cooper's absence will force Kyle Fuller into a full workload on the outside despite the corner's early-season struggles. He'll match up with Stefon Diggs most of the night. Heading into the week, the receiver led the league with 3.1 yards per pass route run (per PFF) while Fuller allowed the 13th-most (1.76). Diggs lines up on Fuller's side for roughly 55% of his routes and our WR/CB matchup model provided the Vikings top pass-catcher the sixth-best rating of the week (27.2). Grasu's absence could cause trouble for rookie quarterback Mike Trubisky in his debut. Cody Whitehair is expected to fill in at center again; he's earned the worst pass-blocking grade among all offensive linemen (12.0) and allowed the third-most pressures (10) among centers. Meanwhile, Minnesota's defensive line ranked eighth in adjusted sack rate (per FO) heading into the week.