Minnesota Vikings DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is going to get his first taste of professional football on Saturday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Sam Darnold will draw the start under center before McCarthy takes over. Head coach Kevin O'Connell said that the rookie signal-caller will get a significant amount of work during the preseason opener. Second-year quarterback Jaren Hall is expected to play after McCarthy exits the contest. The Vikings appear to be making this a legitimate competition, but McCarthy is looked upon as the quarterback of the future in Minnesota.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Rondale Moore (knee), who was carted off from training camp practice on Wednesday, suffered a season-ending knee injury. Moore suffered a non-contact injury on Wednesday, and although the specifics of the injury haven't been revealed, it's likely to be an ACL tear. It's a brutal blow for Moore and the Falcons' receiver depth behind Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III. The 24-year-old former second-rounder was acquired by Atlanta in a trade this offseason from the Arizona Cardinals and was competing with McCloud mainly for slot duties in Atlanta. Moore's injury should solidify McCloud as the team's starting slot man in three-receiver sets to open the regular season this fall.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Rondale Moore (leg) was carted off during training camp practice on Wednesday, and doctors put an air cast on his right leg, which is never a good sign. It's unclear how the injury happened, but it appears that Moore might be set to miss significant time with a serious injury. Making matters even worse, the 24-year-old's injury was of the non-contact variety, which makes it even more likely that he might have suffered a potential season-ending injury. The former second-round pick in 2021 was trying to carve out a role as receiver depth in Atlanta in his first year with the team behind Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III. If Moore indeed suffered a significant injury, it will only cement McCloud's status as the team's starting slot receiver to open the year.

Minnesota Vikings wide receivers Jalen Nailor and Brandon Powell were listed as co-starters in the No. 3 role on the team's first unofficial depth chart. The wideout spot behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison is open following the departure of K.J. Osborn, and the pair of pass-catchers are the prime candidates to fill that gap. Nailor, a sixth-round pick out of Michigan State in 2022, has tallied 12 receptions for 208 yards and one touchdown through his first 21 NFL games. Powell, an undrafted free agent in 2018, has hauled in 76 receptions for 678 yards and three touchdowns in 55 games with the Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams, and Vikings. It will be interesting to see who comes out of the camp battle victorious, but neither is likely to have much fantasy value in an offense led by Sam Darnold or rookie J.J. McCarthy. However, one of the two wideouts could have deep-league value early in the season if Addison is suspended following his misdemeanor DUI charge, especially since tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) is likely to miss the start of the regular season.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison was charged with two misdemeanors -- driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with .08% blood-alcohol content -- after a west Los Angeles police officer found him asleep at the wheel of a Rolls Royce that was blocking a lane of interstate 105 westbound near Los Angeles International airport last month. Addison has been assigned an Oct. 7 arraignment and plea hearing in LA. He could face an NFL suspension once the legal proceedings are complete, clouding his fantasy value ahead of his second year in the league. The 22-year-old former second-rounder was excellent in his rookie campaign in 2023, catching 70 of 108 targets for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games, taking advantage of Justin Jefferson's injury. Even if Addison faces a short suspension to begin the year, he's worth taking as a WR4/flex option in fantasy.