Fantasy Special: Vikings to deal Moss
It appears to be a match made in heaven ... or at least in the black hole.
The Oakland Raiders and Minnesota Vikings have agreed to a trade that would send linebacker Napolean Harris, the No. 7 overall selection in the 2005 NFL Draft and another draft choice to Minnesota in exchange for controversial wide receiver Randy Moss.
The deal won't become official until March 2 due to NFL rules.
Moss made an immediate impact as a rookie with 69 receptions, 1,313 yards and 17 touchdowns. Since then, he has been considered one of the most valuable players in Fantasy Football. Moss has recorded 1,200-plus yards in six of his seven pro seasons, totaled 90 regular-season touchdowns and missed just three starts since 1999.
Owners in both seasonal and keeper leagues who have him on their roster shouldn't fret in terms of his level of production in silver and black. Renegade owner Al Davis is a fan of the vertical pass attack, which will be utilized even more with Moss on the field.
The controversial wide receiver should record another season with 1,200-plus yards and double-digit touchdowns, and remains in the same class as Terrell Owens, Marvin Harrison and Torry Holt.
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| Randy Moss and his controversial past make him a perfect fit in Raider Nation. (Getty Images) |
That's 4,020 yards and 24 touchdowns without Moss.
In an offense that will also feature Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry and Doug Gabriel and could have LaMont Jordan in the backfield, Collins should compile some incredible statistics. Playing six games vs. AFC West teams with mediocre or worse defenses makes him even more attractive.
Porter, the team's leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns last season, will also benefit with Moss in the offense. With much of the defensive attention paid to his new teammate, Porter should battle fewer double teams and have more opportunities to produce solid numbers.
With Moss no longer a member of the Vikings offense, owners might believe the value of Daunte Culpepper has taken a dramatic blow. But while the absence of his favorite wide receiver will hurt somewhat, Culpepper has proved in that past that he doesn't need him to find consistent statistical success.
In what amounted to five starts without Moss last season, Culpepper still threw for 1,179 yards and nine touchdowns. He might be a little further behind Peyton Manning and a little closer to Donovan McNabb on rank lists, but Culpepper remains one of the three best quarterbacks in Fantasy Football.
Moss' spot on the depth chart will be given to the talented Nate Burleson, but owners shouldn't be so quick to crown him a stud. The Vikings will either look to add another veteran -- Derrick Mason and Laveranues Coles are possibilities -- or select a wide receiver like Braylon Edwards or Mike Williams in the draft, which could limit Burleson's increase in value.
With Moss now a Raider and more trades on the horizon -- Travis Henry could be dealt to the Arizona Cardinals soon -- this has a chance to become one of the most memorable offseasons ever.
