The Minnesota Vikings will start quarterback Matt Cassel in Week 1 of the regular season, according to a report from Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. Cassel was battling with rookie second-round pick Teddy Bridgewater, and played well throughout the preseason.
Matt Cassel to start regular season, per report; fantasy value still iffy
The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly going with Matt Cassel as the starter in Week 1. We break down the fantasy implications.
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Cassel started all three preseason games thus far, completing 66 percent of his passes for 367 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Bridgewater also looked solid, with 266 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. Cassel was always expected to win this one, but Bridgewater made it closer than most expected.
Fantasy Impact: At the end of the day, Cassel was always more likely to win for the simple fact that the Vikings could get away with starting him and benching him halfway through the season, while it would be particularly damaging to start Bridgewater, a rookie, and then bench him. But what of the fantasy prospects of either quarterback?
Obviously, Bridgewater isn’t worth picking up at this point. Cassel has had some productive seasons in the past, but the Vikings will be a running team first and foremost once the regular season gets underway. He’s not a guy who will carry your fantasy team but he’s also probably not a bad option to pick up late to spot start.
