BY ADAM HELBLING
Fantasy Impact: BRETT FAVRE (QB Minnesota):

Photo from Vikings.com

The news of Brett Favre signing with the Minnesota Vikings sent many fantasy owners scrambling to the wavier wire to be the first to pick him up. Owners expecting the Favre of old or hoping for a savior at quarterback are probably jumping the gun. Favre should solidify the Vikings chances for a Super Bowl appearance, but is unlikely to offer the same value to fantasy owners.

Favre isn’t getting any younger and he isn’t getting any better. Taking an aging quarterback coming off shoulder surgery who reportedly still has a torn rotator cuff has never been the stuff of fantasy glory. While Favre ranked 9th last season with 22 passing touchdowns, he led the league in interceptions (22). His 3,472 yards passing was his lowest total since 2003. Favre’s struggles weren’t all on him though. It would be difficult to argue that Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles are equal to Donald Driver and Greg Jennings. The problem is that Favre is likely to face a further downgrade at wide receiver with Bobby Wade and Bernard Berrian. As well, the Jets averaged 33 passing attempts per game in 2008. With RB Adrian Peterson being the focus of the Vikings offense it is unlikely Favre will see many games with 33 passing attempts.

While Favre’s impact on your fantasy team may be minimal, the impact on the players around him could be more significant. Berrian had 964 yards receiving despite just 48 receptions last season. With Favre, Berrian should see an increase in receptions and could hit 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. With that in mind Berrian presents good value with an ADP in the early seventh round. Even Wade, who had 645 yards receiving and a team-leading 53 receptions last season, could become a solid bye-week fill-in with a boost in production. TE Visanthe Shianco, with an ADP in the middle of the 13th round, already presents solid value for fantasy owners. Consistent play at quarterback can only increase that value. The one player that could see their value hurt with Favre is WR Percy Harvin. The Vikings had installed a number of different offensive packages, prior to Favre’s signing, in order to maximize the rookie’s touches. With Favre just joining the team the Vikings will probably work more on getting Favre up to speed on the standard sets which should limit Harvin’s touches.

As for ADP’s production, the addition of Favre won’t have much of an affect, although Peterson may have an easier time with opposing defenses having to respect the pass. It also may mean fewer carries for ADP, but more receiving yards; nevertheless, a wash in the end.

Favre isn’t without fantasy value, but owners should beware that it is limited. There is also little upside to Favre compared to quarterbacks that can be taken in later rounds. We wouldn’t want to count on Favre as a starter, but wouldn’t mind him as a bye-week substitute.

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