Josh

Doctson

A.J. Green and DeAndre Hopkins were both held out of Arizona’s first preseason game and Hopkins has yet to return to practice. The Cardinals have their second preseason contest on Friday so it’s possible that Doctson is simply a fresh body for a team missing some wideouts. However, Andy Isabella’s shortcomings through two seasons could put him on the roster bubble and leave an opening for someone else to take his spot. If Doctson ultimately signs with Arizona, he could be the one to push Isabella outside the final 53 players.

Doctson last played for the Vikings in 2019, although he only appeared in one game and failed to record a target. He last really played three years ago for Washington when he posted just 6.8 yards per target across 78 opportunities. The G-Men have a crowded WR depth chart, so Doctson isn’t on the fantasy radar even if he does sign. Former Michigan State QB Brian Lewerke will also work out for New York this week.

New York also released CB Kyron Brown, TE Connor Davis, OL Leo Kolamatangi, K Chase McLaughlin, and WR Jaleel Scott. McLaughlin has bounced around as a spot starter and will likely catch on with another team this summer. Docston, the 22nd overall pick by Washington in the 2016 NFL Draft, opted out of the 2020 season. He’s now three years removed from his best pro season -- a 44-catch campaign in 2018. Doctson, 28, should be able to land on a practice squad in 2021.

Doctson was among a handful of players who opted out just before the 4 p.m. deadline. A former first round pick, Doctson would not have been a fantasy factor this season barring a rash of Gang Green wideout injuries. Doctson played in one game for the Vikings last year after three disappointing seasons in Washington.

Doctson was cut by the Redskins last August and spent part of 2019 on the Vikings’ practice squad. He’s a low-risk flyer for the Jets, who aren’t expected to re-sign Robby Anderson and could move on from Quincy Enunwa. Doctson should stick around for the offseason but he’s a long shot to make it past final cuts.

It’s an encouraging sign for Adam Thielen (hamstring) following the team’s bye week. Doctson merely saw seven snaps in Week 11 and didn’t record a single target. Cameron Smith was added to Minnesota’s 53-man roster in a corresponding move.

Doctson should be active for Week 11 against the Broncos, but he’s obviously not on the fantasy radar even with Adam Thielen sidelined. Expect the Vikings to use Dalvin Cook and the rushing attack this weekend before heading into their Week 12 bye.

That is when Doctson is eligible to return from injured reserve. The Vikings, of course, will continue to deploy Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen as the primary receivers with Dalvin Cook handling a massive workload on the ground. Doctson won’t be on the fantasy radar when all three are healthy.

Placed on IR with a hamstring injury, Doctson is hoping to return when first eligible November 10 at Dallas. With new OC Kevin Stefanski favoring a run-first approach, it’s doubtful Doctson will come into much fantasy value in Minnesota.

Doctson was tentatively expected to be the Vikings’ No. 4 WR. He’s a candidate to return later in the season. Minnesota will continue to move forward with Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs and Chad Beebe in 3-WR sets.