Are the Minnesota Vikings playoff hopes alive with the trade for Sam Bradford???
The Vikings acquired quarterback Sam Bradford from the Philadelphia Eagles. With the recent season ending injury to Teddy Bridgewater. The Viking’s playoff hopes were crushed. The team remained a 10 win team with Shaun Hill at the helm. Looking to rely on the run game and let their defense do the talking was the original plan before Teddy’s injury. Just too many questions surrounding Hill’s ability to get the job done over a 17 week season. Make no mistakes about it. Teddy Bridgewater gives the Vikings the best chance to make the playoffs. His steady in game management has improved every year and his leadership qualities are heard throughout the locker room.
The reality of the NFL is in the NOW! So the Viks pulled the trigger on Sam Bradford. The Philadelphia Eagles receive the Vikings 2017 1st round pick and a 2018 4th rounder. Great trade for the Eagles. Considering the 2017 NFL Draft is in Philly and the Birds were without a 1st round pick. A.K.A. drafting Carson Wentz. Now the Birds have their 1st rounder in 2017, Doug Peterson’s boy Chase Daniel will start week 1 and Sam Bradford is gone. Philadelphia fans should be ecstatic about the future while bracing themselves for a long 2016 regular season.
The Vikings on the other made a desperate move which Moon Man respects. Unfortunately for Viking’s fans. Bradford is not a leader and not the answer. Is giving up a 1st round pick because windows close quickly in the NFL the right strategy? Not if getting Sam Bradford is the end deal.
Eagles – Winners.
Vikings – Losers.
Fantasy Football Impact of this Trade:
The Eagles offense stinks! With Chase Daniel at the helm expect Doug Peterson’s west coast offense to be in full effect. Dump offs to the running backs and tight ends. Zach Ertz value increases and don’t overlook Darren Sproles as a spot starter depending on the matchups. Jordan Matthews in the slot remains Moon Man’s favorite receiver option if any. As for Dorial Green Beckham? His value drops significantly. Remember Dwayne Bowe in Kansas City? Well it’ll be much of the same. High hopes with no fantasy results. Expect the Eagles defense to be on the field a lot in 2016 which lowers their value.
The Minnesota Vikings will depend on the run. Defenses will put eight in the box which is no problem for the #3 ranked fantasy running back Adrian Peterson (Running Back Rankings) Bradford actually opens up the run game because he is good off the play action and defenders must respect his deep ball. Shaun Hill lacked this deep ball threat. 17 years in the league and Hill has shown he can sling the rock. Just not over a full season so the move makes sense.
Who else is out there? Free Agent Mark Sanchez is now a Dallas Cowboy. The Viks could have gone for him or trade for Cleveland backup Josh Mccown? What about the Calgary Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell? Moon Man supports making moves but to give a 1st round pick up for a stop gap quarterback when other stop gaps are available for less. Not good for the Vikings future. Bradford does not immediately improve the Vikings. It may just be a mental thing with NFL teams and 1st overall picks getting second, third and fourth chances. Michael Vick is a free agent and offers the same 10 win season game managing as Bradford does.
Stefon Diggs will need to build chemistry with Bradford before he is considered anything more than a WR 3/flex option. Laquon Treadwell should be on your radar as with any rookie wr with his size/skillset. Kyle Rudolph is a good tight end to have as your backup in Fantasy Football Leagues. If you even bother to carry a backup. The only player Moon Man likes besides A.P. is Jerick McKinnon for Daily Fantasy Sports.
Today’s transactions are prime examples of why Moon Man drafted zero offensive players from the Philadelphia Eagles and only defensive IDP’s from the Minnesota Vikings.
Moon Man liked Paxton Lynch and Carson Wentz more than Jared Goff in the off season and their play has suggested this recently. Suggested A.P. breaks 2,000 rushing yards but backed off with Jerick McKinnon consistently stealing third downs. Has the Eagles DST ranked outside the top ten (https://ffphilosophy.com/2016/09/01/dst-rankings-2/) and clearly stated his love for Baltimore Raven’s running back Kenneth Dixon (2016 Running Back Draft Class’s Fantasy Value). With Justin Forsett being released. The door is open for rookie Kenneth Dixon to be the #1 back by mid season as predicted in the off season.
As Always,
(Teams Going Off + Thoughts Flexed In) = Combination Lineups
May the Fantasy Force Be With You.
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https://ffphilosophy.com/2016/09/01/deep-sleeper-wide-receiver-rankings/
https://ffphilosophy.com/2016/08/31/running-back-rankings/
https://ffphilosophy.com/2016/08/22/fantasy-football-tight-end-rankings/
https://ffphilosophy.com/2016/08/31/quarterback-rankings/
https://ffphilosophy.com/2016/08/18/fantasy-qb-wr-combinations/
https://ffphilosophy.com/2016/08/18/daily-fantasy-sports-reflection-pro-bowl/
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