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Since the Minnesota Vikings deactivated running back Adrian Peterson for alleged child abuse, the team has looked to Matt Asiata for help. Asiata will not replace Peterson’s points in fantasy football, but he could prove to be a smart pickup, particularly because the probability of Peterson’s return is still a huge question mark.
Asiata impressed fantasy owners during the Vikings’ Week 4 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons by totaling an explosive 28 points. The running back ran for 78 yards on 20 carries and scored three touchdowns to help win the game 41-28. Asiata also caught three passes on four targets for 22 yards.
During Sunday’s contest, Asiata was accompanied by rookie running back Jerick McKinnon, who accumulated 15.20 points for 0.6 percent of fantasy owners. McKinnon is quicker than Asiata, but Asiata has shown his strengths and should remain the Vikings’ go-to running back for now.
Aside from Peterson, the Vikings are also without their quarterback Matt Cassel, who will miss the rest of the season due to multiple fractures in his left foot. Cassel has been replaced by rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater made his NFL debut on Sunday and it was spectacular. The rookie outshined most starting quarterbacks, tallying a total of 23.38 points before he left the field with an ankle injury (not serious). If Bridgewater continues to dominate, he will only be setting Asiata and McKinnon up for more success.
As of right now, Asiata is owned in about 45 percent of leagues. If you had Peterson in your lineup, an injured running back or you are just looking for a flex, Asiata should be your next pickup.
Amanda Sklarek is a Pittsburgh Penguins/NHL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandabukowski, “Like” her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google.
