” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/USATSI_27037020_168394844_lowres-1180×787.jpg”> Redraft fantasy football leagues don\u2019t get popping until August, though Dynasty formats run year-round. If you have a Dynasty startup draft coming up, ESPN wants you to remember these Minnesota Vikings players as \u201csleepers\u201d: quarterback Kyler Murray and halfback Jordan Mason<\/a>.<\/p>\n Murray\u2019s stock is at his career\u2019s lowest, while Mason is pretty much overlooked by the fantasy community as a whole.<\/p>\n ” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/USATSI_24845237-1180×787.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=75,gravity=auto,metadata=none,format=auto,onerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/USATSI_24845237.jpg” alt=”Kyler Murray stands on the sideline during a Cardinals game against the Seahawks. Vikings sleepers” > ESPN: Murray Is a Sleeper<\/strong><\/p>\n Murray was the first Viking to catch sleeper <\/em>status from Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler. The pair wrote<\/a>, \u2018Murray has been limited to just 30 games over the past three seasons, but the dual-threat QB has averaged 18.0 fantasy points per game over that span.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow in Minnesota with his best supporting cast since 2020 \u2014 including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings and T.J. Hockenson \u2014 Murray is well positioned to lean more on the vertical passing game.\u201d<\/p>\n Needing a quarterback to partner with J.J. McCarthy<\/a> in 2026, Minnesota found Murray off the free-agent wire for $1.3 million. The Cardinals dumped him and are paying him to play for Kevin O\u2019Connell\u2019s team.<\/p>\n So Is Mason<\/strong><\/p>\n On Mason\u2019s fantasy outlook, Graziano and Fowler noted, \u201cMason has averaged 5.1 yards per carry in his career, ranking third among 54 running backs with at least 350 carries since he entered the league. He averaged 9.9 rushing attempts and 8.1 fantasy points per game in 2025.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMason\u2019s sleeper appeal is largely tied to Aaron Jones Sr., a 31-year-old with 1,914 career touches who struggled with injuries and efficiency in 2025. If Jones were to miss time, Mason would be firmly on the RB2 radar.\u201d<\/p>\n Mason enters Year No. 2 with the Vikings after a successful first campaign and will once again share the workload with veteran tailback Aaron Jones<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Fantasy Case for Murray<\/strong><\/p>\n If Murray plays 14 games or more \u2014 he\u2019s been injury-prone lately \u2014 the fantasy community and Vikings fans will consider him a revelation. He\u2019s an ideal fantasy passer, unafraid to use his legs and productive through the air when given time in the pocket. In 2024 \u2014 still considered by national media as a down year for Murray \u2014 he ranked as QB9 leaguewide in fantasy terms.<\/p>\n In 2020, he finished as QB2 behind Josh Allen. <\/p>\n The man has the background to flourish in fantasy. He must a)<\/strong> Stay healthy b) <\/strong>Nestle in O\u2019Connell\u2019s system c)<\/strong> Pray the Vikings\u2019 offensive line stays healthy, unlike last year. <\/p>\n ” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/USATSI_17523213-1180×787.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=75,gravity=auto,metadata=none,format=auto,onerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/USATSI_17523213.jpg” alt=”Kyler Murray throws a pass during the Cardinals’ playoff game against the Rams. Vikings sleepers” > In 10-Team Dynasty SuperFlex startups, Murray can be obtained around Round 7, and perhaps around Round 4 in Redraft. Without SuperFlex rules, he\u2019s closer to Round 11 or 12 in Redraft. <\/p>\n Fantasy Life<\/em>\u2018s Dwain McFarland and Ian Hartitz noted<\/a> on Murray\u2019s fantasy profile a couple of weeks ago, \u201cKyler Murray is the frontrunner to win this alleged competition. While 2025\u2019s \u2018soft benching\u2019 for Jacoby Brissett featured Murray putting up career-worst passing numbers, the pint-sized speedster has posted high-end real-life \u2014 and especially fantasy \u2014 numbers on multiple occasions during his seven-year career. Murray joins Malik Willis<\/a> as the top 2 later-round dual-threat options in fantasy.\u201d<\/p>\n Mason Is Sweet for Fantasy Depth<\/strong><\/p>\n Mason, on the other hand, may not quite have the fantasy ceiling as Murray, but he cannot be ignored. Whether in San Francisco or Minnesota, the guy has produced when given the ball \u2014 to the tune of about 5 yards per rushing attempt.<\/p>\n It\u2019s just that someone else is habitually in his way. Christian McCaffrey<\/a> wasn\u2019t about to cede touches with the 49ers, and the Vikings enjoy splitting Mason\u2019s workload with Jones, which is on deck again in 2026.<\/p>\n ” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/USATSI_27766578-1180×787.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=75,gravity=auto,metadata=none,format=auto,onerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/USATSI_27766578.jpg” alt=”Jordan Mason runs with the ball during a Vikings game against the Commanders. Vikings sleepers” > FantasyPro<\/em>\u2018s Derek Brown on Mason<\/a>: \u201cMason is a one-trick pony, but that one trick is quite good. He\u2019s a strong early down option for NFL offenses and should continue to serve in the role this season for Minnesota. Last year, he was the RB42 in fantasy points per game while soaking up 158 rushing attempts and producing 758 rushing yards and six total touchdowns.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAmong 49 qualifying backs, he ranked tenth in explosive run rate, seventh in rushing success rate, ninth in missed tackle rate, and 15th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Aaron Jones will continue to be the passing-down partner for Mason for Minny in 2026. If (or when) Jones misses time, Mason could be a plug-and-play RB2, but he\u2019s best viewed as a high-end handcuff\/touchdown-dependent flex.\u201d<\/p>\n If given an RB1 workload around 250-275 touches, Mason\u2019s numbers would resemble this:<\/p>\n If you\u2019re drafting a 10-Team Dynasty SuperFlex startup, grabbing Mason in Rounds 15, 16, or 17 would be wise. For redraft leagues in August and March, Rounds 11, 12, or 13 make sense. <\/p>\n Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders <\/a>, is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\nFootball Vikings\u2019 New-Look Offense Gets Fantasy Buzz<\/h2>\n
Nov 24, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) stands on the sideline during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Jan 17, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) rushes the ball against the Washington Commanders during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
\n
\n![\"Football](\"https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=70,height=70,fit=crop,quality=75,gravity=auto,metadata=none,format=auto,onerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/baker1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n