The 2025 Vikings were considered capable of doing BIG things fresh off winning 14 games in 2024, but some, err, we'll say "not great" quarterback play largely doomed the season.

The team's ever-fiesty Brian Flores-led defense was still good enough to help this team win nine games; just realize this was the worst offense yet from HC Kevin O'Connell.

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Fantasy Football Team Preview for the 2026 Minnesota Vikings

Enter: Kyler Murray, who is expected to win the quarterback "competition" over J.J. McCarthy, and accordingly, get this offense partying like it's 2024 again. Throw in plenty of early-round front-seven investment through the draft, and it's easy to imagine the Vikings once again playing meaningful football in January … if they get better play under center.

What follows is a fantasy-focused team preview of the Minnesota Vikings a

head of the 2026 season. Make sure to check out Fantasy Life's rankings hub for updated player ranks all year long.

As always: It's a great day to be great.

Can KOC bring out the best in Kyler Murray?

• QB1: Kyler Murray (QB16)
• QB2: J.J. McCarthy (QB34)

You'd like to think so, considering the pretty awesome results for every Vikings QB that he's coached … other than McCarthy. Of course, Murray hasn't exactly been playing to the best of his abilities in recent years. His highs in 2020 and 2021 were quite awesome and helped him secure that initial $230.5 million bag from the Cardinals, but unfortunately, things simply haven't been as good in recent years.

It's a make-or-break year for Kyler Murray

Are all Vikings running backs quality zero-RB targets?

• RB1: Aaron Jones (RB36)
• RB2: Jordan Mason (RB39)
• RB3: Demond Claiborne (RB73)

The affordable nature of all parties involved certainly makes it look that way. Consider: Jones (RB40) and Mason (RB41) are currently going in Round 11 of early Underdog drafts!

Now, neither would have exactly paid off in a major way at that valuation last season: A-aron finished as the RB34 in PPR points per game, while Mason was the RB46. Still, that was inside the aforementioned lackluster "nine" led edition of this offense–could we see bigger and better things from these RBs in an improved Kyler-led scheme?

This RB tandem is a mixed bag

Will we spell redemption J-e-t-t-a-s in 2026?

• WR1: Justin Jefferson (WR6)
• WR2: Jordan Addison (WR45)
• WR3: Jauan Jennings (WR63)
• WR4: Tai Felton

Hopefully! It didn't seem possible for Jefferson to sink as low as he did last season, but it happened.

Overall, Jefferson has averaged just 48 receiving yards per game with J.J. McCarthy at QB. That's quite the far cry from guys like Kirk Cousins (99), Carson Wentz (95), Sam Darnold (90) and hell, even Nick Mullens (66).

Bank on a Justin Jefferson return to elite status

Is TJ Hockenson THE late-round tight end of 2026?

• TE1: TJ Hockenson (TE22 in Fantasy Life ranks)
• TE2: Josh Oliver

Hockenson was widely speculated to be a cap casualty this offseason, but instead he'll be wearing purple and gold for at least one more year after the team restructured his contract.

On the one hand, Hockenson is essentially coming off career-worst counting and efficiency numbers inside a Vikings offense that will presumably continue to primarily flow through Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. He gained more than 50 yards just twice and finished as fantasy's TE27 in 2025.

Target Hockenson if you wait at TE

Predictions For The 2026 Minnesota Vikings

Win total prediction: While this Vikings team sputtered in 2025, there's still plenty of talent on both sides of the football. It'd be a lot cooler for Skol faithful if the NFC North weren't so loaded, but hey, we only have to go back one season to find the last time Minnesota handled that challenge with flying colors. And yet, I'm taking UDNER 8.5 wins due to the potential for this defense to take a slight step back after losing some front-seven talent, and for the offense to (unfortunately) remain stuck in neutral.

Bold fantasy call: Justin Jefferson will get back on track—and so will Jordan Addison. Give me a top-24 finish for the talented fourth-year receiver.

Last season predictions: Over 8.5 wins (hell yeah, brother), and Jordan Mason will return legit RB1 production during his (hopefully for Aaron Jones' sake) brief stint as the team's lead back when pushed into action (Mason worked as the RB17 in PPR points per game with Jones sidelined in Weeks 3-7. Not exactly legit RB1 production, but not too shabby).

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