Fantasy football managers tend to trust Kevin O’Connell, so when Jauan Jennings signed with the Minnesota Vikings this season, it came with some reasonable expectations in terms of 2026 stat lines.
After six years in San Francisco, Jennings fueled that talk by gleefully discussing the potential of this offense in late May. Should you be interested in jumping the line to acquire his services in 2026?
Should You Draft Jauan Jennings in Fantasy Football?
“I feel like Kevin Durant on the Warriors.”
Everything in this world changes, everything besides NFL players giving wildly positive statements in the summer months. “Best shape of my life” is no longer good enough; we’ve grown immune to such modest evaluation and now need to swing for the fences.
Settle down.
START PREPARING: PFN’s FREE Fantasy Mock Draft Simulator
This Minnesota offense is good, but they project closer to average than dynastic. Justin Jefferson is without question the top option, and Jordan Addison has been good for nearly a touchdown every two games (22 in 46 games) throughout his time in the NFL. Jennings has scored 15 times over the past two years and has been one of the most efficient options in our game over that stretch, so the general optimism is understandable.
PPR Point Per Target Since 2024 (Min. 200 targets)
- Tee Higgins
- Puka Nacua
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- AJ Brown
- DeVonta Smith
- Ja’Marr Chase
- Nico Collins
- Ladd McConkey
- George Pickens
- Jauan Jennings
That’s a heck of a list, and the QB play is trending up for the Vikings with Kyler Murray set to open the season as the starter over the project that is J.J. McCarthy.
FANTASY RANKINGS: PFN’s FREE Fantasy PPR, Half-PPR, and Non-PPR Rankings
That said, it’s next to impossible to work the projections in such a way that Jennings is a top-100 player. Heck, he’s checking in closer to 150 than 100 for me, and as a result, I’m not sure I’ll pick up many, if any, shares.
Kyler Murray ranks 33rd in red zone pass touchdown rate over his career, checking in behind Carson Wentz and Geno Smith over that stretch. It’s very possible that a new version of him is unlocked this season, but extreme growth would put him in the average range, and is that going to be enough?
Jennings only has one season with 60 catches on his professional resume, and that means banking on week-to-week volume is dangerous at best. Only three times since the second half of the 2022 season have two pass catchers scored 15+ PPR points on passes from Murray in the same game.
We all like Justin Jefferson to bounce back, and if Addison is going to chew up scoring equity, what is the path for Jennings to consistently score in double figures (41 WRs averaged 10+ points last season), never mind flirt with that 15-point number?
Preseason Fantasy WR Rankings
- Ja’Marr Chase | CIN
- Puka Nacua | LAR
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba | SEA
- Amon-Ra St. Brown | DET
- Drake London | ATL
- Justin Jefferson | MIN
- CeeDee Lamb | DAL
- Nico Collins | HOU
- A.J. Brown | NE
- Malik Nabers | NYG
- George Pickens | DAL
- Chris Olave | NO
- Rashee Rice | KC
- Zay Flowers | BAL
- Jaylen Waddle | DEN
- Tee Higgins | CIN
- DeVonta Smith | PHI
- Ladd McConkey | LAC
- Terry McLaurin | WAS
- Emeka Egbuka | TB
- Tetairoa McMillan | CAR
- Garrett Wilson | NYJ
- Jameson Williams | DET
- Christian Watson | GB
- Luther Burden III | CHI
- Rome Odunze | CHI
- Parker Washington | JAX
- Carnell Tate | TEN
- DJ Moore | BUF
- Marvin Harrison Jr. | ARI
- Davante Adams | LAR
- Brian Thomas Jr. | JAX
- Quentin Johnston | LAC
- Mike Evans | SF
- Stefon Diggs | WAS
- Michael Wilson | ARI
- DK Metcalf | PIT
- Jakobi Meyers | JAX
- Josh Downs | IND
- Michael Pittman Jr. | PIT
- Jayden Reed | GB
- Courtland Sutton | DEN
- Wan’Dale Robinson | TEN
- Chris Godwin Jr. | TB
- Alec Pierce | IND
- Makai Lemon | PHI
- Jordan Addison | MIN
- De’Zhaun Stribling | SF
- Khalil Shakir | BUF
- Romeo Doubs | NE
