Brett Favre: A Fantasy Perspective
by Paul Eide
Fantasy Football Director
8/20/09


Is there anything left in that 39 year old arm? Maybe the arm injury was to blame for his horrible performance over the end of 2008 that cost the Jets a playoff spot, but if the Vikings are willing to take a chance on him, it means as a fantasy owner you should at least consider him.

Whether you like Favre or hate him, the Vikings receiving corps as a whole suddenly garners more value from a fantasy perspective just by him suiting up.

The number one wide out and player who stands to gain the most from Favre’s arrival is Bernard Berrian. Berrian put together a nice season last year (48 recs, 964 yards and 7 TD) but his 20.1 average per catch is what really raised eyebrows considering his QB’s were Gus Freotte and Tarvaris Jackson, two guys are not known for their ability to throw the deep ball. Berrian has always been a speed receiver limited by quarterbacking, as it was in Chicago as well. Now that he has Favre’s arm delivering him passes, he should post his first career 1,000 yard season. Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe and rookie wide receiver Percy Harvin also see their stock increase as latter round selections.

Another big question about the acquisition of Favre is how does it impact Adrian Peterson’s value? It seems at times the Vikings really put the reins on AP, to protect him from injury and to prolong his career, and having Favre makes it easier for them to do that. You don’t sign the greatest statistical QB in the NFL’s history to turn him into a “game manager”, so you’re going to have your games with 30+ passes (and a couple of INTS, snicker the Packers and Jets fans) but that doesn’t become the norm.

Peterson is still the best running back in the game and the Vikings have the best run blocking line in the NFL. He is the #1 overall fantasy selection in my opinion, and having Favre softens up opposing defenses for AP who in the past would stack a minimum of eight men in the box anytime Tarvaris Jackson was under center. So while Favre may limit AP’s carries in certain games, AP also stands to benefit directly as well.

Brett Favre is now relevant again to fantasy owners because of his potential production with the Vikings.  There are only so many starting QB’s to be had that can put up numbers and in many ways Favre has put himself in an ideal fantasy situation.

Consider him as a backup in the latter rounds and monitor his preseason performance closely, just to gauge how well his arm has healed, and to see if the partially torn rotator cuff limits him at all.