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WR Bernard Berrian, Minnesota Vikings

HT: 6-1, WT: 185, Born: 12-27-1980, College: Fresno State, Drafted: Round 3

2008 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of June 28th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: R Mendenhall (83), C Taylor (84), Bernard Berrian (85), A Gonzalez (86), J Walker (87)
Position: K Curtis (81-WR30), J Galloway (82-WR31), Bernard Berrian (85 - WR32), A Gonzalez (86-WR33), J Walker (87-WR34)
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 Click here to go to the Bernard Berrian spotlight, our staff's most detailed analysis.

Best Case

Bernard Berrian looks to increase his yardage output for a fourth consecutive season. He's a very underrated receiver who has developed quite nicely into a legitimate number one option. The Minnesota passing game lacked success last year, but Berrian is used to that; it's not as if he is leaving the 1999 Rams behind. The Bears may have had an even worse passing offense than Minnesota, and Berrian has proven that he can put up stats despite a lack of talent around him. So if Tarvaris Jackson plays even remotely well, it would be a boon to the offense as a whole -- specifically the passing game. Berrian will be the top option, and could put up big stats as the go-to guy.

Worst Case

There's a good deal of worry that Jackson may not be the long-term answer at QB. The Vikings have committed to him for this season, but he's still very much a work in progress. Berrian will be joining a new organization and it will take time to adjust to everything, quarterback included. The other worry is that the running game will be so dominant that the Vikings won't need to throw it as often as most teams. Last year, the Vikings featured the top rushing attack and the top defense in the NFL. If that's not a ball control-style of play, then the term doesn't exist. It's entirely possible that Berrian plays well, but fails to put up very gaudy numbers anyway simply due to a lack of opportunities. Finally, last year's second round pick, Sidney Rice, showed flashes of ability last year and he could move in on some of Berrian's expected targets.

Outlook

Berrian should put up statistics comparable to 2007, if not slightly better. In Chicago, Berrian didn't really stake his claim as the number one option until last season. In Minnesota, he signed on to be the number one option. The Vikings aren't going to go out and become the Packers; they'll still remain a run-first, ball control team. But their passing game would need only slight improvements for Berrian to make a fantasy impact, and he'll likely be a solid WR2 and a very good WR3 in most fantasy leagues.

Relevant Articles

Why he is overvalued

Chris Smith - Sure Berrian has talent but are you really confident enough in the Vikings passing attack to take him as the 31st receiver off the board. I'm not.

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Berrian showed a nice ability to get open consistently. While he never got loose downfield for any huge gains, he was able to consistently get in that 15-20 yard range. On several occasions, he had a number of San Diego defenders around him but he was able to find the soft spot in the zone to make the play. It showed he isn't just a burner who hauls in deep balls; he's learning the finer points of the position and did a good job to get open when his team needed him to. One negative on Berrian's performance was on the interception. Rex Grossman threw it deep downfield for Berrian, who appeared to simply end his route and break off the wrong way as the ball was heading left. It was easily intercepted by S Marlon McCree and San Diego took over possession.

Week 2 - Berrian was the primary deep threat of the Bears offense. He was targeted on one deep throw near the end zone that was badly underthown and almost intercepted. Berrian did fumble on the first Bears drive of the game, ending the possession in Bears territory. However, the Chiefs were unable to capitalize on the turnover.

Week 3 - Berrian was targeted often by Rex Grossman early on in this contest. He had four catches in the first quarter, all of which went for first downs. In the second quarter Berrian caught a 12 yard pass that went for another first down, but he dropped a pass that would have went for a long gain. On the play, Berrian ran a slant and go and found himself wide open along the sideline. Grossman placed the pass perfectly, but the ball bounced right off Berrian's chest. He had two targets in the second half, one of which he caught for an 11 yard gain.

Week 4 - Berrian was the most targeted WR for Chicago but he needs to be more consistent. On two of their first three drives he dropped third down passes that would have moved the chains. He was out fought by a corner back in the end zone for one Detroit interception and had another interception glance off his hand. Both would have been tough catches, but with a new quarterback who is bound to be rusty you have to make tough catches.

Week 5 - Berrian suffered from an injured toe and a lack of accuracy on Griese's deep ball. His only catch was of the short variety, and the two deep looks he received were well overthrown.

Week 6 - Berrian got behind the defense on a 39 yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, though this amounted for half of his production on the day, as the Vikings tried to keep the ball away from him.

Week 7 - Berrian finished with four receptions for 65 yards on seven targets. He was able to break through for a 25 yard pass play, but could not find much open space downfield versus the Eagles secondary.

Week 8 - Berrian made a beautiful leaping catch over the middle for 16 yards and a first down on his first reception of the game. He finished the half with three catches for 30 yards. Berrian didn't catch another pass until almost the two minute warning in the second half when he came up with a 15 yard pass for a first down. Berrian struggled to get open against a suspect Detroit secondary.

Week 10 - Berrian was the most targeted Chicago receiver, getting eight targets for the game. He was able to bring down four receptions for 89 yards, including a 59 yard touchdown reception that really turned the game for the Bears.

Week 11 - With Grossman under centre, Berrian saw the majority of looks on passing plays and eclipsed 100 yards receiving. He showed good hands, but was unable to turn upfield with any of his catches.

Week 12 - Berrian faked out Champ Bailey and made a diving catch to tie the game up in the final minute despite a relatively quiet day before that. With the game on the line, Rex Grossman threw the ball to Berrian twice at the goal line.

Week 13 - Bernard Berrian caught three passes for 59 yards, on nine total targets. Berrian seemed to get open deep down the left sideline frequently, however Rex Grossman only completed one of those passes for 50 yards. Otherwise Grossman was over-throwing Berrian on his deep targets, a few of which were by narrow margins. Late in the fourth quarter with the Bears third and 15 at midfield, Grossman found Berrian to the left sideline for what would have been a first down but Berrian dropped the catch. Muhsin Muhammad would later convert on fourth and 15, but it further shows that Berrian's truest strength is on go patterns where he can streak down the field, but his hands aren't always reliable.

Week 14 - Berrian had the Bears biggest play of the first half on a quick out that he was able to break a tackle on and take 15 yards for a first down. He finished the first half as the Bears leading receiver, catching three passes for 29 yards. Berrian had a great catch for 35 catch in which he went over the defender and was able to bring the ball down. He caught a pass that was originally waived off by the officials as incomplete. It was an impressive catch as Berrian caught the ball over a defender and it looked like his elbows came down in bounds. After it was reviewed by the instant reply it was ruled a touchdown. Berrian went on to have a very good game and some plays down the field for Chicago, including a couple of very athletic catches.

Week 15 - Berrian wasn't a big factor in this game. It looked for a moment like he might catch a long TD pass to tie the game with less than two minutes to go, but Orton's pass floated a bit and was picked off by S Darren Sharper.

Week 17 - Berrian had a relatively quiet afternoon, with his biggest play coming on a nine yard touchdown reception from running back Adrian Peterson. Many of the deep routes that Berrian traditionally ran with Rex Grossman were being run by speedster Devin Hester in this game as the Bears continued to try to get Hester more involved.