Player Spotlight: Vikings WR Corps (Williamson, Wade, Rice, McMullen) (1 Viewer)

2007 Player Spotlight Series

Over the course of the offseason, we will be evaluating a multitude of players at every fantasy position. One such way we go about that is through the Player Spotlight series. Think of the Spotlights as a permanent record on some of the more intriguing players for the upcoming season. Each Spotlight will be featured in an article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Bobby Wade & Troy Williamson & Sidney Rice & Billy McMullen, WRs, Minnesota Vikings

Player Page Link: Bobby Wade Player Page

Player Page Link: Troy Williamson Player Page

Player Page Link: Sidney Rice Player Page

Player Page Link: Billy McMullen Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide sustainable value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsBest of Luck and ENJOY!

none of these guys deserve a spot light

NorrisB said:

none of these guys deserve a spot light

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That's why we're doing one spotlight for the entire corps. Basically over the years we've had a debate as to whether it makes sense to combine players on teams or not. Sometimes we've combined RBBCs, for example, but what about a situation like Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, or Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush. All four of those guys deserve individual spotlights. At the WR position, we ultimately decided to do individual spotlights for WRs we felt were likely to start for an NFL team and had a good chance at finishing in the top 50. Some situations, like Jacksonville and Minnesota, are so convoluted we had to do a group thing as a place to discuss the overall outlook. Other situations (Tennessee, Oakland) are equally puzzling...but we felt there were certain players (Brandon Jones, Jerry Porter) that had enough universal interest to warrant their own attention.It's by no means an exact science, considering we run these threads in May, June and July before training camp. But ultimate this seems to be the best compromise we could come up with.

I can't see any way that anyone on the Minnesota receiving corps breaks 50/750/5.

The one with the best chance is Bobby Wade.

There have been encouraging rumblings about Troy Williamson looking much improved in the OTA's, but I'll believe it when I see it.

The only one who is draftable is Williamson and thats only in the last round. This is the worst WR corps in recent memory. Bobby Wade is the #1 and I assume butterhands will be the #2. This is a run first run, run often team with a very green QB. I dont expect big numbers from any of them but I will attempt to project them as follows:

Bobby Wade: 45 rec, 540 yds, 2 tds

Troy Williamson: 40 rec, 600 yds, 4 tds

Sidney Rice: 20 rec, 300 yds, 0 tds

Billy McMullen: 20 rec, 300 yds, 2 tds

That adds up to 1700+ yds. When you add in receiving yards by Taylor and Peterson (I project 350 combined) plus Shaincoe (who I think could be a sleeper at 450 yds) that adds up to about 2540 yards which sounds about right.

shadyridr said:

The only one who is draftable is Williamson and thats only in the last round. This is the worst WR corps in recent memory. Bobby Wade is the #1 and I assume butterhands will be the #2. This is a run first run, run often team with a very green QB. I dont expect big numbers from any of them but I will attempt to project them as follows:Bobby Wade: 45 rec, 540 yds, 2 tdsTroy Williamson: 40 rec, 600 yds, 4 tdsSidney Rice: 20 rec, 300 yds, 0 tdsBilly McMullen: 20 rec, 300 yds, 2 tdsThat adds up to 1700+ yds. When you add in receiving yards by Taylor and Peterson (I project 350 combined) plus Shaincoe (who I think could be a sleeper at 450 yds) that adds up to about 2540 yards which sounds about right.

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Looks just about right on to me. However, as low scoring as the Vikings offense is going to be, I can't see the WR's accounting for only 8 tds. I'm pessimistic, but I don't completely discount luck!

Having predictions for these guys is worthless unless you're in a 32 man league. One of these guys will get 500 yards, one will get 4 TDS, which one I have no idea.

Keith Lewis said:

Having predictions for these guys is worthless unless you're in a 32 man league. One of these guys will get 500 yards, one will get 4 TDS, which one I have no idea.

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Hey Keith,I hear you but if it's kind of a damned if we do, damned if we don't. I can guarantee you we would get complaints if we didn't cover all the bases, and since we have such a great community of fanatics on the forums and our staff is ready to roll, I'd rather err on the side of a few too many Spotlights than not enough.

Could I just vomit on my screen instead?



The only guy I even consider draftable in anything but deep dynasty leagues is Rice, and that's in the final rounds. That's only because he's the only one I see with even a minute chance of being a viable bye-week starter. If Williamson were ever going to learn how to catch he would have done it by now. Wade is so pukeworthy it's not even funny. I mean, he wasn't good enough to be a wideout for the freaking Bears for Crissakes. He sucked there and I have a hard time believing that he still has a job. McMullen? Seriously? The guy who couldn't get decent production in the most pass-happy offense in the NFL?

This is by far the worst WR corps and possibly the worst offense in the league, unless they can get it done on the ground without even a laughable threat through the air. The only upside to the absolute nightmare they have on offense is that the DST should see more time on the field that any other in the NFL, meaning Minny could be a good sleeper DST.

It's hard to predict individual numbers for these guys, but the contrarian in me thinks that one of these guys is going to represent significant value by season's end. Which one is the tough part.

The best anyone of these guys finished was 73rd WR which was Wade w/ 480 yards, 0 TD. For us fantasy players, this is a team to plain avoid, 73rd WR would be 7th WR on a team in a 12 teamer. It's too bad the Vikings didn't step up in free agency, they have the money to make some moves. They have the best D line in the game and in my opinion a top 5 O line in the game and they won't win but a small handful of games. What a waste.

Keith Lewis said:

The best anyone of these guys finished was 73rd WR which was Wade w/ 480 yards, 0 TD. For us fantasy players, this is a team to plain avoid, 73rd WR would be 7th WR on a team in a 12 teamer. It's too bad the Vikings didn't step up in free agency, they have the money to make some moves. They have the best D line in the game and in my opinion a top 5 O line in the game and they won't win but a small handful of games. What a waste.

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There was almost nobody of value to be purchased.Kevin Curtis and Drew Bennett were the best names available. Neither would have made much difference.

Thank god they got Visanthe Shiancoe, though.

It sure looks like a golden opportunity for Rice if TJ can get him the ball.

Andy Dufresne said:

Keith Lewis said:

The best anyone of these guys finished was 73rd WR which was Wade w/ 480 yards, 0 TD. For us fantasy players, this is a team to plain avoid, 73rd WR would be 7th WR on a team in a 12 teamer. It's too bad the Vikings didn't step up in free agency, they have the money to make some moves. They have the best D line in the game and in my opinion a top 5 O line in the game and they won't win but a small handful of games. What a waste.

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There was almost nobody of value to be purchased.Kevin Curtis and Drew Bennett were the best names available. Neither would have made much difference.

Thank god they got Visanthe Shiancoe, though.

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You dont think Curtis or Bennett wouldve made much of a difference over the slop they got now? Something against white WRs?

shadyridr said:

Andy Dufresne said:

Keith Lewis said:

The best anyone of these guys finished was 73rd WR which was Wade w/ 480 yards, 0 TD. For us fantasy players, this is a team to plain avoid, 73rd WR would be 7th WR on a team in a 12 teamer. It's too bad the Vikings didn't step up in free agency, they have the money to make some moves. They have the best D line in the game and in my opinion a top 5 O line in the game and they won't win but a small handful of games. What a waste.

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There was almost nobody of value to be purchased.Kevin Curtis and Drew Bennett were the best names available. Neither would have made much difference.

Thank god they got Visanthe Shiancoe, though.

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You dont think Curtis or Bennett wouldve made much of a difference over the slop they got now? Something against white WRs?

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They both seem in the same league as Bobby Wade to me at this point in their careers.

They could have offered a 4th round pick for Darrell Jackson and I'm sure the Hawks would have perferred the Vikings over the 9ers.

shadyridr said:

The only one who is draftable is Williamson and thats only in the last round. This is the worst WR corps in recent memory. Bobby Wade is the #1 and I assume butterhands will be the #2. This is a run first run, run often team with a very green QB. I dont expect big numbers from any of them but I will attempt to project them as follows:Bobby Wade: 45 rec, 540 yds, 2 tdsTroy Williamson: 40 rec, 600 yds, 4 tdsSidney Rice: 20 rec, 300 yds, 0 tdsBilly McMullen: 20 rec, 300 yds, 2 tdsThat adds up to 1700+ yds. When you add in receiving yards by Taylor and Peterson (I project 350 combined) plus Shaincoe (who I think could be a sleeper at 450 yds) that adds up to about 2540 yards which sounds about right.

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I don't like those numbers for Sidney Rice. Even Mike Williams put up better numbers in his first year. I think Rice will the player that benefits most from the departure of Marcus Robinson. I going out on a limb and going to predict that he ends up with 4 TDs.

Keith Lewis said:

They could have offered a 4th round pick for Darrell Jackson and I'm sure the Hawks would have perferred the Vikings over the 9ers.

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I don't like Jackson's health issues.

Keith Lewis said:

They could have offered a 4th round pick for Darrell Jackson and I'm sure the Hawks would have perferred the Vikings over the 9ers.

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actually after what happened the year before I doubt it...plus there looks like a reason all they could get was a 4th for him.

Rice: 45 receptions, 500 yards, 5 TD's. He is a STUD plain and simple and they will get him the ball.

yeah, year-old turf toe is not a good thing

DenverBroncos said:

Rice: 45 receptions, 500 yards, 5 TD's. He is a STUD plain and simple and they will get him the ball.

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Please wait until next year to post 2008-2009 predictions.Thanks.

i keep on looking at the MIN WR situation and agree that i can't see any of them breaking out for more than 50 receptions. which makes me keep on coming back to shiancoe.

i think either he is going to break out big or williamson will.

i just can't figure out which one yet.

If Jackson throws for the same yardage over a 17 game season as he did over a three game stretch he started last year, and if he doesn't improve at all, he will throw for around 2650 yards. The Vikings TEs and RBs did not account for that much yardage last year. Wiggins last year caught 386 yards--do you really think this cast off Shiancoe, who has never caught more than a hundred yards in four previous seasons, will do better??? Last year Taylor's yardage from receptions was 288 and Moore, the third down back, caught for 478. Let's assume that AP catches 200 more yards than Moore, that Taylor does the same, and that Shaincoe does as well as Wiggins (doubtful). That comes to 1352 and leaves about 1300 yards for the WRs.

On the other hand, if Jackson improves and throws for 2900 yards (an improvement of 15 yards per game, then there would be 1550 yards for the WRs. Conceivably, one could get 800 (Williamson), one five hundred (Wade), and one 250 (Rice). This is what I am projecting as I saw a lot to like about Jackson's play and this year he will benefit from getting all the starter reps during the OTAs and preseason.

I do not see much love for Allison. Is he THAT raw that he cannot get playing time over somce of these other WRs.

If Troy Williamson truly has improved as much as I've read. And don't discount the fact that he can see this year. I think 600 yards is a pretty safe estimate for the guy. He got 450 in limited play last year, and 200 of those in the 1st 3 games before he ended up in the doghouse.

This is how I see it:

Troy Williamson 55 receptions 800 yards 4 TDs

Sidney Rice 25 receptions 350 yards 5 TDs

Bobby Wade 40 receptions 400 yards 2 TDs

Billy McMullen 20 receptions 300 yards 1 TD

Disclaimer I went to South Carolina, I watched every college game Williamson and Rice played. I think both are going to be very big eventually. Williamson is a burner who had great hands in college. I expect his hands to come back this year now that he can see, and has had more experience with the pro system (don't forget he's entering his 3rd year where things normally start to come together). Sidney Rice is a tall guy, who is great in the redzone, he's still too young and raw. He'll make an impact, but it will be with TDs not with yards or receptions.

Just my 2 cents, obviously I'm a lot more optimistic than most of the guys here. But, I'd be surprised if Troy doesn't work out to be a top 50 WR in PPR leagues.

wannabee said:

I do not see much love for Allison. Is he THAT raw that he cannot get playing time over somce of these other WRs.

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I see QB'ing as the problem, not Allison. Too many young WR's to share a low number of passes.

wannabee said:

I do not see much love for Allison. Is he THAT raw that he cannot get playing time over somce of these other WRs.

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Yes.

As a person who plays in more deep leagues than 12x15 redrafts, I appreciate the fact that FGB at least tries to throw me a bone with some space given to questionable situations.

To those who don't understand why you look at these situations for redraft, every year there are a handful of players, especially WRs, who come from the Titans, Vikings, and other teams with messes at either WR1 or WR2 who wind up not only being rosterable, but flat out mattering. Your ability to get a one or two week edge on the competition is why you are reading a fantasy board before the 4th of July.

I almost never post in one of these spotlight things, but I'm in a mood tonight, soooo...

I think especially in PPR leagues Bobby Wade has value this year. I think there will be a comfort factor the QB and OC develop with him since he's the closest thing to a reliable vet that they have, and he'll get lots of underneath and across-the-middle stuff. As I said in another recent post, think Furrey-light.

I project 60-720-5 for Wade.

As for the other guys, I have little faith in Williamson. Early preseason feel-good talk is nothing new for heretofore under-performing early round picks, and most of the time it just turns out the pick was a mistake. I think he will always be an 'athlete' WR with great speed and bad hands, and without giving specific projections I'd be surprised if he surpasses 35 catches this year.

I think Rice will do fine for a rookie, considering the inexperience at QB, but in terms of numbers he'll probably end up somewhere around Williamson, 35 catches or less. There's no reason to expect anything special from him this year. Give him time.

Others will see the field, but none are going to be worth talking about fantasy-wise. This s/b a definite low point for the Minnesota passing game, but with experience T Jackson and Rice should begin to be viable in 2008.

Couch Potato said:

I almost never post in one of these spotlight things, but I'm in a mood tonight, soooo...

I think especially in PPR leagues Bobby Wade has value this year. I think there will be a comfort factor the QB and OC develop with him since he's the closest thing to a reliable vet that they have, and he'll get lots of underneath and across-the-middle stuff. As I said in another recent post, think Furrey-light.

I project 60-720-5 for Wade.

As for the other guys, I have little faith in Williamson. Early preseason feel-good talk is nothing new for heretofore under-performing early round picks, and most of the time it just turns out the pick was a mistake. I think he will always be an 'athlete' WR with great speed and bad hands, and without giving specific projections I'd be surprised if he surpasses 35 catches this year.

I think Rice will do fine for a rookie, considering the inexperience at QB, but in terms of numbers he'll probably end up somewhere around Williamson, 35 catches or less. There's no reason to expect anything special from him this year. Give him time.

Others will see the field, but none are going to be worth talking about fantasy-wise. This s/b a definite low point for the Minnesota passing game, but with experience T Jackson and Rice should begin to be viable in 2008.

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That's where I think Troy gets majorly underrated. All through college he had great hands, the bad hands came recently. I think it may well have more to do with vision problems like everyone's reporting than developing bad hands in his 20s. I guess we'll see how it works out this season. But the guy never had issues with his hands before the pro level.I'm looking forward to watching some Vikes games this year. I don't think Troy will be a major fantasy producer (although in a PPR numbers like Welker had last year wouldn't surprise me). But, I think he'll start to reach his potential as a premier real world WR.

ivnabru said:

Couch Potato said:

I almost never post in one of these spotlight things, but I'm in a mood tonight, soooo...

I think especially in PPR leagues Bobby Wade has value this year. I think there will be a comfort factor the QB and OC develop with him since he's the closest thing to a reliable vet that they have, and he'll get lots of underneath and across-the-middle stuff. As I said in another recent post, think Furrey-light.

I project 60-720-5 for Wade.

As for the other guys, I have little faith in Williamson. Early preseason feel-good talk is nothing new for heretofore under-performing early round picks, and most of the time it just turns out the pick was a mistake. I think he will always be an 'athlete' WR with great speed and bad hands, and without giving specific projections I'd be surprised if he surpasses 35 catches this year.

I think Rice will do fine for a rookie, considering the inexperience at QB, but in terms of numbers he'll probably end up somewhere around Williamson, 35 catches or less. There's no reason to expect anything special from him this year. Give him time.

Others will see the field, but none are going to be worth talking about fantasy-wise. This s/b a definite low point for the Minnesota passing game, but with experience T Jackson and Rice should begin to be viable in 2008.

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That's where I think Troy gets majorly underrated. All through college he had great hands, the bad hands came recently. I think it may well have more to do with vision problems like everyone's reporting than developing bad hands in his 20s. I guess we'll see how it works out this season. But the guy never had issues with his hands before the pro level.I'm looking forward to watching some Vikes games this year. I don't think Troy will be a major fantasy producer (although in a PPR numbers like Welker had last year wouldn't surprise me). But, I think he'll start to reach his potential as a premier real world WR.

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Didn't Williamson have lasik? He would be an awesome sleeper if that was his only drawback. I remember getting glasses at about 26 and couldn't believe I was supposed to see that well. Is there something to this?

The question I came into this thread to ask before I got distracted and ranted, was concerning how much the perception of the Viking Wr corp changes if Brooks B plays QB? I am working under the assumption that Jackson is the starter, but Brooks is closer to getting playing time than a normal back-up. Viking fans I have no problem being corrected.

coolnerd said:

As a person who plays in more deep leagues than 12x15 redrafts, I appreciate the fact that FGB at least tries to throw me a bone with some space given to questionable situations. To those who don't understand why you look at these situations for redraft, every year there are a handful of players, especially WRs, who come from the Titans, Vikings, and other teams with messes at either WR1 or WR2 who wind up not only being rosterable, but flat out mattering. Your ability to get a one or two week edge on the competition is why you are reading a fantasy board before the 4th of July.

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At least one of these guys should be drafted in a 16-team league. What's with all the hate for a discussion about bottom-tier fantasy players?

Brewzers said:

ivnabru said:

Couch Potato said:

I almost never post in one of these spotlight things, but I'm in a mood tonight, soooo...

I think especially in PPR leagues Bobby Wade has value this year. I think there will be a comfort factor the QB and OC develop with him since he's the closest thing to a reliable vet that they have, and he'll get lots of underneath and across-the-middle stuff. As I said in another recent post, think Furrey-light.

I project 60-720-5 for Wade.

As for the other guys, I have little faith in Williamson. Early preseason feel-good talk is nothing new for heretofore under-performing early round picks, and most of the time it just turns out the pick was a mistake. I think he will always be an 'athlete' WR with great speed and bad hands, and without giving specific projections I'd be surprised if he surpasses 35 catches this year.

I think Rice will do fine for a rookie, considering the inexperience at QB, but in terms of numbers he'll probably end up somewhere around Williamson, 35 catches or less. There's no reason to expect anything special from him this year. Give him time.

Others will see the field, but none are going to be worth talking about fantasy-wise. This s/b a definite low point for the Minnesota passing game, but with experience T Jackson and Rice should begin to be viable in 2008.

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That's where I think Troy gets majorly underrated. All through college he had great hands, the bad hands came recently. I think it may well have more to do with vision problems like everyone's reporting than developing bad hands in his 20s. I guess we'll see how it works out this season. But the guy never had issues with his hands before the pro level.I'm looking forward to watching some Vikes games this year. I don't think Troy will be a major fantasy producer (although in a PPR numbers like Welker had last year wouldn't surprise me). But, I think he'll start to reach his potential as a premier real world WR.

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Didn't Williamson have lasik? He would be an awesome sleeper if that was his only drawback. I remember getting glasses at about 26 and couldn't believe I was supposed to see that well. Is there something to this?

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Tough to say, but it can't hurt. He wasn't polished coming out of school and needed to work on his route running, but hands weren't his problem. He's a guy who had one of the worst QB's in D1 his last season and still put up good numbers. I think a lot of people are unfairly down on him after last season and putting too much stock in the drops.

For the few of us ina league that rewards return yards, which of these WR's will be returning kickoffs, or is there someone else on the team this year to fill that role? Williamson did that some last year, and Wade did some for TEN. One of the two may have value in my league if they are returning some kicks as well as putting up 40-50 catrches 4-6 TDs.

I think Williamson is going to cause his doubters to eat a lot of crow this season. This guy gets open and from what I have seen from him he makes crisp cuts and runs good routes. With the eye surgurey and the jugs machine work he has been putting in all offseason I think he will correct the drops. I don't think his hands/eyesight were as bad as some make it out to be last season either. I think he lost a lot of confidence after some drops was the bigger issue and then the coaching staff benched him because he couldn't get that out of his head. I think we will see a different player this year.

Jackson is the main concern due to his inexperience. But lets not forget that Brad Johnson threw 15 interceptions himself averaging 1 INT for every 29 pass attempts. Even though Jackson is green I don't think he will be worse than Johnson was last year. He can make throws that Johnson even in his prime couldn't make. This will be a heavy rushing offense that will try to control the ball and set Jackson up for success as much as they can with the short passing game where recievers like Williamson and Wade can make things happen after the catch as well as a lot of dumping to the RB and TE.

I still have not done projections for the Viking passing game yet. I agree it is a difficult task. However I think Williamson is going to be the guy who emerges here and will present value for owners willing to use a late flyer on him.

My main concerns about Jackson and the passing offense stem from Jacksons lack of pocket awareness when he played last year. That still very much concerns me because it is instictual imo and somthing that is hard to teach. I expect the Vikings to use bootlegs and moving pockets by design to help him out in this regard. How much control Jackson can play with and how many turnovers he commits are the biggest problems. I do not expect the Vikings to turn him loose this season yet and the year will be a learning experience for him the whole way. To see if he can be a starter in this league or not. Remains to be seen.

When all is said and done however .. and possibly with Jackson sitting for Bollinger at some point depending on how things go.. I think Williamson is going to end up with over 50 catches and possibly numbers like 800 yards and 6TD which wouldn't be too shabby considering how down people are on him and how late you can draft him or how cheap he possibly can be traded for.

I don't see Rice doing a lot in terms of catches this year but he may be used often in the red zone.

Wade I see as a place holder and special teamer nothing more. He still may start most of the Viking games but I don't see much in terms of catches from him and what he does get will be of the dump off for a 1st down type of plays most of the time.

Williamson is the guy I would look at taking a flyer on and the Viking offense as a whole may not be as bad as many people seem to be thinking. That is so dependent on how well Jackson and the line protects him that it is very hard to say right now however. I do expect the Vikings to run the ball more effectivly than last year which will certainly help.

Biabreakable said:

I think Williamson is going to cause his doubters to eat a lot of crow this season. This guy gets open and from what I have seen from him he makes crisp cuts and runs good routes. With the eye surgurey and the jugs machine work he has been putting in all offseason I think he will correct the drops. I don't think his hands/eyesight were as bad as some make it out to be last season either. I think he lost a lot of confidence after some drops was the bigger issue and then the coaching staff benched him because he couldn't get that out of his head. I think we will see a different player this year.Jackson is the main concern due to his inexperience. But lets not forget that Brad Johnson threw 15 interceptions himself averaging 1 INT for every 29 pass attempts. Even though Jackson is green I don't think he will be worse than Johnson was last year. He can make throws that Johnson even in his prime couldn't make. This will be a heavy rushing offense that will try to control the ball and set Jackson up for success as much as they can with the short passing game where recievers like Williamson and Wade can make things happen after the catch as well as a lot of dumping to the RB and TE.I still have not done projections for the Viking passing game yet. I agree it is a difficult task. However I think Williamson is going to be the guy who emerges here and will present value for owners willing to use a late flyer on him.My main concerns about Jackson and the passing offense stem from Jacksons lack of pocket awareness when he played last year. That still very much concerns me because it is instictual imo and somthing that is hard to teach. I expect the Vikings to use bootlegs and moving pockets by design to help him out in this regard. How much control Jackson can play with and how many turnovers he commits are the biggest problems. I do not expect the Vikings to turn him loose this season yet and the year will be a learning experience for him the whole way. To see if he can be a starter in this league or not. Remains to be seen.When all is said and done however .. and possibly with Jackson sitting for Bollinger at some point depending on how things go.. I think Williamson is going to end up with over 50 catches and possibly numbers like 800 yards and 6TD which wouldn't be too shabby considering how down people are on him and how late you can draft him or how cheap he possibly can be traded for.I don't see Rice doing a lot in terms of catches this year but he may be used often in the red zone.Wade I see as a place holder and special teamer nothing more. He still may start most of the Viking games but I don't see much in terms of catches from him and what he does get will be of the dump off for a 1st down type of plays most of the time.Williamson is the guy I would look at taking a flyer on and the Viking offense as a whole may not be as bad as many people seem to be thinking. That is so dependent on how well Jackson and the line protects him that it is very hard to say right now however. I do expect the Vikings to run the ball more effectivly than last year which will certainly help.

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I'll just add my projections to this:Williamson: 60 receptions, 865 yds, 6 TDsWade: 50 receptions, 600 yds, 4 TDsRice: 30 receptions, 390 yds, 1 TDMcMullen: 25 receptions, 325 yds, 1 TDAll Minn WRs: 165 receptions, 2180 yds, 12 Tds

Minnesota's offense, especially its passing game, will take several weeks to gain any traction whatsoever. After doing so, it will only be a modest passign attack, with no receiver gaining more than 60 receptions. Jackson is rumored to be looking good and making better decisions on the fly, but that wont immediately translate to high-level production of this raw receiving crew. In fact, I see an outside possibility in which Peterson leads the Vikings in receptions, since Jackson will often take the easy option of tossing it to him in the flat.

Williamson: 47 receptions, 600 yds, 2 TDs

Wade: 55 receptions, 650 yds, 3 TDs

Rice: 45 receptions, 550 yds, 2 TD

McMullen: 30 receptions, 420 yds, 1 TD

All Minn WRs: 177 receptions, 2220 yds, 8 Tds

Minnesota's passing game has been moderately successful the past two seasons, but to read all the comments in this thread, you would think that it was worse than pitiful.

In 05, they completed 323 passes in 510 attempts for 3449 yards, a 63.3% competion rate for 215 yards per game and a 6.76 ypa. In 06, they slipped to 330 completions on 538 attempts for 3371 yards, a 61.3% completion rate for 210 yards a game and 6.27 ypa.

This year they have apparently gone to Tarvaris Jackson as their starter. I watched him a little at Arkansas, where he played some early in his career before transferring to a smaller Alabama school. Not a big issue there, the Razorbacks have been know to run off a few QBs. I may be nieve, but I believe that their is more potential with the Vikings passing game than is being counted on and that sounds like value to me. The difficulty is selecting the WR candidate among the crowded field.

If I take a stab at one for redraft, it will probably be T Williamson. He was an excellent prospect coming out of the SEC (South Carolina) and had corrective eye surgery in the off-season. I think that he offers the most promise as I believe he will have the first opportunity to shine. If you are talking dynasty, then I would go with either him or Sidney Rice, who is very athletic and an NFL rookie.

The Vikings used their RBs very effectively in 06, with C Taylor and M Moore teaming to have 88 catches and 756 yards and 1 TD. The leading WRs last season were T Taylor (57-651-3) and M Robinson (37-381-4), both of whom are gone.

The candidates at WR this year include Wade, Williamson, Rice, McMullen, and Allison. Wade has spent 5 years in the NFL and Minnesota will be his third team. He has never had more than 42 catches, 451 yards, or 2 TDs. He has 2 career TDs. He has a career 11.9 ypc.

Troy Williamson is a third year WR originally drafted 7th overall, who had corrective eye surgery in the off-season. His catches went up from 24-372-2 in his rookie year to 37-455-0 in his second year. As the third most frequently targeted WR in 06, with the depature of the top two he becomes the incumbent WR. I think that we will see significant production with his experience and opportunity.

Billy McMullen is a fifth year 3rd round WR who has had modest production in his last two seasons, 18-268-1 with Philly and 23-307-2 last year in Minnesota. I think that he and Rice and Allison will compete for the third WR spot at best this year.

Sidney Rice is a rookie selected in the 2nd round this year by the Vikings. Aundre Allison is another rookie selected in the 5th round this year by the Vikings. I think that Rice and Allison could make the team depending on their special team skills.

T WIlliamson 65 catches 780 yds 6 TDs

Wade 30 catches 370 yards 3 TDs

Rice 26 catches 390 yards 3 TDs

one of McMullen & Allison 20 catches 260 yards 1 TD

zamboni said:

It's hard to predict individual numbers for these guys, but the contrarian in me thinks that one of these guys is going to represent significant value by season's end. Which one is the tough part.

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That's the way I feel as well. I'd also feel better about the Minn. WR if they had a better backup than Brooks Bollinger. Supposedly Kelly Holcomb is looking to leave Philly for the Vikings. I think Williamson will be the guy just through process of elimination. I know nothing about Allison. I know McMullen stinks out loud as a possession receiver who can't catch. I'm not convinced that Sidney Rice can consistently get open. Bobby Wade was on two very medicore WR staffs since he entered the league and couldn't stand out.Williamson 62/790/6Rice 45/490/3Wade 30/350/0

Or Jackson could lock into one WR and feed him the ball 12 times a game