What You Need to Know:

• Cousins was a top 5 QB in most efficiency metrics last year.
• But he ranked just 33rd in pass attempts per game and finished 18th in fantasy points.
• Minnesota figures to remain a run-leaning offense in 2020.
• The Vikings traded WR Stefon Diggs to Buffalo and hope to replace him with 1st-round rookie Justin Jefferson.

Strong efficiency

Cousins was excellent for the Vikings last year. His 69.1% completion rate ranked 3rd among 27 QBs with 300+ attempts. His 8.1 yards per attempt ranked 5th. Cousins tossed 26 TDs vs. just 6 INTs. Pro Football Focus ranked him 3rd among those 27 QBs in their passing grades. Football Outsiders had him 10th among 34 qualifiers in DVOA. And he did it despite missing WR Adam Thielen for 6 games.

Weak volume

Cousins wasn’t nearly as excellent for fantasy owners, though. He ranked just 18th among QBs in fantasy points; 22nd in points per game. Cousins sat out a meaningless season finale but finished as a top 12 QB in only 5 of his 15 outings.

Blame low passing volume. The Vikings were the 3rd most run-heavy offense in the NFL last year. They also ran the 6th fewest plays. So Cousins averaged just 29.6 passes per game — 33rd league wide.

Not surprisingly, Cousins was productive when he did get to chuck it. He reached 34 pass attempts in 5 games last year and posted the following fantasy finishes in those games: 9th, 15th, 24th, 8th and 4th. His 23.3 fantasy points per game in those outings would have ranked 9th on the season.

2020 outlook

Unfortunately, we’re not expecting his volume to change much in 2020. OC Kevin Stefanski left to take the Browns’ HC job. But he’ll be replaced by Gary Kubiak, who was an “offensive advisor” in Minnesota last year and likely had a significant say in the offense. Kubiak has tended to favor the run, with 15 of his 22 NFL offenses ranking higher in rush attempts than passes.

The Vikings’ personnel also sug…