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WR Robert Ferguson, Minnesota Vikings

HT: 6-0, WT: 210, Born: 12-17-1979, College: Texas A&M, Drafted: Round 2

2008 Projections

Best Case

Robert Ferguson finally harnesses some of that talent that had scouts and fans wondering when he was going to become a big-time threat. He's had tons of opportunities the last several seasons but hasn't grabbed a starting gig at this point. In Minnesota, he doesn't have a ton of Pro Bowlers and superstars ahead of him. The ability is there for Ferguson, he just hasn't put it all together. As of now, he's buried down the depth chart but he is a guy who could quickly see a move up the pecking order if the players ahead of him fail to succeed. Ever since Randy Moss left the Vikings, no one has really staked a claim as "the guy". Ferguson had his second-highest receiving yardage output in 2007, and it could be that he has finally found his niche.

Worst Case

Ferguson could be at the 'he is what he is' stage. He is a solid fourth receiving option because of his ability, but isn't someone who is ever going to break out and put up huge statistics. He's also stuck behind Bernard Berrian and Sidney Rice on the depth chart. Berrian was paid big money to leave the Bears, and Rice was a second round pick. So the team is heavily invested in each of those players. Ferguson would have to play at nearly an all-pro level just to get noticed and find time with the starters. And with Berrian and Rice both young, talented players on the rise, it's unlikely that Ferguson will see the field very much.

Outlook

The Vikings offense isn't like the 1990's model where the third and fourth receiving options can put up big numbers. On this team, the starters may even have a difficult time putting up huge stats. It is very much a running team with a young, inexperienced quarterback, and they aren't going to have many times where they rely on the passing game to win it for them. Unless Ferguson finds himself in the starting lineup (unlikely), he'll have very little fantasy relevance in 2008.

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 2 - Ferguson was the most heavily-targeted player on Minnesota, most of the targets coming on deep balls. Unfortunately for him, most of the passes in his direction weren't catchable and two of them actually resulted in interceptions. On most other teams, nine targets in a game would be cause to give him a look on the waiver wire. But if nine targets against a defense like Detroit is only going to result in 29 yards, then when would Ferguson ever be able to put up fantasy-relevant statistics?

Week 9 - Ferguson was active early on, but his role reduced quickly with the emergence of Adrian Peterson as the focal point of the offense in the second half. Ferguson's long reception went for just 11 yards, and he wasn't a big factor in the outcome.

Week 10 - Ferguson had his biggest game yet in purple, and against his former team. Ferguson got the start in place of the injured Sidney Rice, and made the most of it. He lead all Vikings in targets, receptions, and tied for the team lead in receiving yards.

Week 11 - Ferguson's only catch of the game came in the second quarter.

Week 14 - Ferguson had one of his best days as a Vikings receiver, and scored the Vikings lone receiving touchdown. The touchdown was a short pass to the right. The defender covering him lunged at Ferguson but bounced off. Ferguson then made a second defender miss and walked into the end zone.

Week 15 - Ferguson made one big play in the third quarter that turned the game around. His 71 yard catch and run to the one yard line set up the first Vikings TD and gave Minnesota momentum that it never lost.

Week 16 - Ferguson was the most targeted receiver for the Vikings, but he only caught four of the 11 balls thrown his way. It seemed like a lot of the passes thrown his way were while Jackson was pressured and on the run, and many of them were thrown high. He gained 51 yards on the night.

Week 17 - Ferguson got plenty of looks from Tarvaris Jackson but was well covered by the excellent Broncos defensive backs. He did receive four deep passes, but the balls were either thrown out of reach or were broken up by defenders. He did catch five of his shorter routes for 39 yards.