News: Vikings defensive lineman Everson Griffen was able to get to quarterback Aaron Rodgers seemingly at will in Week 17 against the Packers. He sacked Rodgers a career-high three times and also forced a fumble. Griffen finished with four solo tackles in the 37-34 win.
Analysis: Griffen posted a career-high eight sacks this season and also returned an interception for a touchdown. The 25-year-old has not had much appeal in Fantasy thus far in his career but should see more looks in IDP formats heading into 2013.
News: The Vikings' Everson Griffen did something Week 15 at St. Louis that few defensive linemen ever get an opportunity to do: He returned an interception for a touchdown. It was the first pick and first score of his NFL career. He also had a solo tackle in the contest.
Analysis: Griffen has five sacks on the season, so he's not a complete afterthought in Fantasy. Still, he's unlikely to come close to matching this performance over the final two weeks of the season. You can leave him on waivers in Fantasy.
News: Vikings defensive lineman Everson Griffen totaled two solo tackles and one sack Week 14 vs. Chicago. He now has a career-high five sacks in 13 games.
Analysis: Griffen needs just two more tackles as well to set a new career-high, but that would give him just 22 tackles. He is one of those players that is far more valuable to his real team than Fantasy owners. Griffen continues to have low-end Fantasy appeal.
News: Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen had one of the best games of his career Sunday at Detroit, recording two sacks and totaling three tackles.
Analysis: Griffen looked sharp against the Lions' so-so offensive line. With three sacks on the year, he's a lock to top the four he had in 2011 and could continue to be a decent low-end option. Start your evaluation of him with consideration as a one-week replacement option off waivers starting this week when he takes on the Titans.
News: KSTP-AM reports the Vikings' Everson Griffen was instructed by coaches to slim down this offseason. He now weighs 263 pounds and is expected to move to weakside linebacker in training camp. He could also see some snaps as a pass rusher in the 'Joker' mold. "When camp starts, whatever they've got for me, I'm just going to execute. I'm just going to go out there and -- no buts this time, this and this. Execute my assignment and make plays and show them that I'm ready to play, that I'm mature enough, that I'm ready and I'm trying to take it to that next step," Griffen said. "I want to be one of them guys that's going to be a big impact on us winning games and going to the playoffs and even try to win a Super Bowl. It's early right now, but I'm just ready to go, man. Ready to just get out there and show Minnesota what I can do. Show the owners, show just everybody how I can contribute to the team."
Analysis: It sounds nice, but until Griffen plays regularly and posts some good stats, Fantasy owners shouldn't put him on rosters.
News: Vikings DL Everson Griffen recorded his first sack in four games Week 12 at Atlanta. It was his fourth of the season. The sack was his only tackle on the day.
Analysis: Griffen isn't a starter for the Vikings, so aside from the occasional sack, he isn't going to contribute much in Fantasy. He belongs on waivers in all but the deepest of IDP leagues.
News: Vikings DL Everson Griffen had one of his team's three sacks in a 22-17 loss to the Chiefs in Week 4. It was Griffen's second sack of the season. He also made one tackle in the game.
Analysis: Griffen doesn't produce enough in any defensive category to be of much use in Fantasy. He can be ignored in nearly all IDP leagues.
News: The DE Everson Griffen saga continues. According to TMZ, Griffen was arrested for public intoxication in Hollywood Friday evening. Griffen remains in an LA jail on $50,000 bail and is set to meet a judge Wednesday after being arrested for felony assault charges Monday. The Vikings released a statement regarding Griffen's arrest: "We are aware of (Monday's) alleged incident involving Everson Griffen. At this time, the team is gathering all the facts and we'll withhold any further comment." Griffen has been arrested three times since 2009.
Analysis: Griffen was and is expected to compete for a starting spot, likely in place of Ray Edwards, who is not expected to re-sign with the Vikings. That could be in jeopardy. We'll keep you posted, but for now no one should consider drafting Griffen.
News: The St. Paul Pioneer-Press reports that Vikings free agent Ray Edwards wants a big pay day and is all but gone. The Vikings are high on second-year DE Everson Griffen, but he still must prove in camp that he's worthy of a starting spot.
Analysis: Keep an eye on Griffen's performance in the offseason and what happens with Edwards. Griffen is not worth drafting in the majority of leagues, but he could be an addition off the waiver wire if he starts out the season playing well.
News: Among the Vikings' 2010 draft class are Virginia CB Chris Cook (second round), USC DE Everson Griffen (third round), Minnesota LB Nate Triplett (fifth round) and Rutgers LB Ryan D'Imperio (seventh round).
Analysis: Cook is expected to compete for a starting job this summer but might settle into the nickelback role. Griffen, a strong pass rusher, will work to earn a role in the Vikings' pass rushing corps and serves as an insurance policy in case veteran Ray Edwards isn't ready for the start of the season. Triplett and D'Imperio will vie for roster spots in camp this summer. Of these players, Cook and Griffen are decent late-round fliers in rookie-only drafts.
