It’s a running back… it’s a wide receiver… no, it’s Percy Harvin! The Vikings offense is going to have a terrifying one-two punch in Harvin and Peterson, and they’re not going to be shy about using their shiny new toy either – they’ve drawn up more than two dozen plays for him already and are working furiously to develop a Wildcat option with Harvin taking snaps from multiple positions. And if Peterson gets hurt (always a distinct possibility), Harvin, who averaged nearly 10 yards per carry for the Gators on 194 total carries, may find himself with a significant share of the running duties along with his receiving and Wildcat roles.

What I like best about him has as much to do with the team as the player: Minnesota, with more questions than answers at the quarterback position, has every incentive to get the ball out of the QB’s hands and lean heavily on its playmakers. This offense is going to be more than a little, um, non-traditional – but dangerous nevertheless. And Harvin’s likely to be a big reason why.

Right now, I’d grab him in round 5 or 6 of a 12-team redraft league. While I don’t know that I’d go much higher than that, it’s certainly tempting. He’s a gamble given all the uncertainty in the Vikings offense, but he’s got the potential to be this season’s iteration of the one player you hate to see on your opponent’s roster any given week.

UPDATE: Of course, if Favre does end up punkin’ us all and dons the purple ‘n’ gold this season, the Minnesota offense would suddenly look a lot more traditional, and Harvin would drop back down on my list.

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