When looking for candidates for the Most Valuable Players of fantasy football at this season’s midway point, the standouts who have most surpassed their preseason projections, one need to look no further than the Vikings’ bench.
That’s the 2024 Vikings’ bench … where Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones finished last season.
The former top prospect is a legit MVP candidate for the surprisingly 7-1 Colts. His 2,062 passing yards are not much more than average, but his 13 touchdown passes and four TD runs are much more. Whether his success continues in the tougher half of the Colts’ slate remains to be seen.
Here are other fantasy MVP candidates, led by the running back who has helped Jones lead the Colts to early-season glory:
Jonathan Taylor (Colts RB) — With 1,026 total yards and 14 touchdowns, the former Wisconsin Badger is on pace to be the NFL’s first 30-TD player since San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson had 31 in 2006.
Javonte Wiliams (Cowboys RB) — A bust in Denver, Williams has been a revelation in JerryWorld with 726 total yards and nine touchdowns.
Cam Skattebo (Giants RB) — Before seeing his ankle turn into a pretzel, the rookie tallied 617 total yards and seven TDs.
George Pickens (Cowboys WR) — The former Steelers malcontent came up huge when CeeDee Lamb went down with injury, with 43 catches for 685 yards and six TDs.
Michael Pittman (Colts WR) — Indy’s No. 1 receiver is finally living up to his gaudy expectations, with 43 catches for 446 yards and 6 TDs.
Tucker Kraft (Packers TE) — Last Sunday’s hero in Pittsburgh is having a career-best campaign. He has 30 catches for 469 yards and a half-dozen scores.
Jake Ferguson (Cowboys TE) — He’s on pace to hit triple digits in catches this season, and he also has posted six touchdowns.
Drake Maye (Patriots QB) — The biggest QB bargain, who went undrafted in many leagues, has 15 TD passes and two scoring runs for playoff-bound New England.
Sitting stars
First off, Justin Jefferson is the only Viking you should be confident to start against the Lions. … Tyrone Tracy will replace Skattebo in the Giants’ backfield, but no one should rush to start him against the 49ers. … Kansas City’s Isiah Pacheco will be a non-entity versus Buffalo. … Atlanta WR Drake London will be held in check by New England. … The Rams’ tough defense will limit Saints WR Chris Olave. … Tua Tagovailoa’s revival will be short-lived against Baltimore’s no-longer-defenseless defense. … Other QBs we expect will underwhelm are Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers against Indy, Trevor Lawrence against the Raiders and C.J. Stroud versus Denver.
Matchup game
Derrick Henry scored twice last week against Chicago, and he may do the same against the weak Miami defense. … The Chargers’ Kimani Vidal should have another big day against Tennessee. … Bears receivers Rome Odunze and D.J. Moore are both great starting options against Cincinnati. … We see one Lions WR breaking out against the Vikings: Jameson Williams. … Indy TE Tyler Warren will augment his rookie of the year resume versus Pittsburgh. … And two quarterbacks who could have big games are Seattle’s Sam Darnold against the Commanders, and the Cardinals’ Kyler Murray versus Dallas.
Injury watch
The biggest name among the Week 8 casualties is Philly RB Saquon Barkley, though his groin injury is not considered too serious. … Same goes for the shoulder injury of Cleveland RB Quinshon Judkins. … Three QBs will be returning from injury this week: Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and, very likely, Washington’s Jayden Daniels and San Francisco’s Brock Purdy. … The list of questionables includes two running backs (Chiefs’ Isiah Pacheco, Chargers’ Hassan Haskins), four receivers (Rams’ Puka Nacua, Houston’s Nico Collins, Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas and Washington’s Terry McLaurin), one tight end (Raiders’ Brock Bowers) and three quarterbacks (Arizona’s Kyler Murray, Cincinnati’s Joe Flacco, Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr.).
Deepest sleeper
Tennessee WR Chimere Dike, a first-year pro from Florida, is becoming a favorite of fellow rookie Cam Ward. He tallied 93 yards in Week 8 against Indianapolis. Over the past two weeks he has 11 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown, which makes him a standout on Tennessee’s Island of Misfit Toys roster.
The Thursday pick
Ravens at Dolphins (+7½)
Pick: Ravens by 14
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X– @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.
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