Ohio State Buckeyes operating again Quinshon Judkins (1) celebrates his landing run in opposition to Texas Longhorns within the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl Traditional throughout the Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinal recreation at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025. © Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos.
The Minnesota Vikings’ free-agent course of is 5 weeks away, and the staff should formulate a brand new plan at operating again.
Our RB Endorsement for the 2025 Vikings
The membership ranked twenty seventh per speeding DVOA in 2022, twenty seventh in 2023, and twentieth in 2024. So … child steps?
On the entire, the RB technique wants restore, and wouldn’t you understand it? This offseason is a incredible time for it, because the 2025 rookie class at tailback is splendidly deep.
So, right here’s what we might do at operating again for the 2025 Vikings.
1. Let Aaron Jones Depart by way of Free Company
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Photos.
Aaron Jones performed fairly effectively in 2024, tabulating over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and seven complete touchdowns. Actually, the manufacturing marked one in all Jones’ finest seasons ever.
Nonetheless, he received’t get any higher. He’ll be 31 in December, and ageing halfbacks don’t usually enhance.
Subsequently, as a result of Jones will probably ask for $6-$8 million per season, we’d let him hit free company and discover one other staff whereas retaining Cam Akers at RB2. If Minnesota indicators Akers outright this spring, it received’t should commerce for him — once more — in 2025.
2. Signal Javonte Williams — or — Najee Harris
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports activities
A prerequisite for Minnesota’s RB room? The person should pass-block.
Williams and Harris are among the many NFL’s finest blocking operating backs, they usually simply so occurred to be on their solution to free company if the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively, don’t re-sign their in-house guys.
Williams may be extra reasonably priced than Harris, however both method, the Vikings ought to add a veteran operating again by way of free company, utilizing the cash it could’ve spent on Jones on a participant about 5-6 years youthful.
Then, the franchise can seal the cope with No. 3 listed under.
3. Use the Third-Spherical Decide (Compensatory) on a Rookie RB
Ohio State Buckeyes operating again Quinshon Judkins (1) will get away from the Notre Dame Preventing Irish protection for a future within the third quarter throughout the Faculty Soccer Playoff championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025. © Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos.
It’s unclear, in fact, how the draftboard will fall in late April, however one factor is bound — this 2025 draft class is deeper at operating again than any current 12 months.
As a result of Kirk Cousins departed the enterprise final March, Minnesota will earn the 97th (or so) general decide within the 2025 NFL Draft, and common supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can discover one in all these rookies:
Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)
TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
Kaleb Johnson (Iowa)
Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
Cam Skattebo (Arizona State)
Devin Neal (Kansas)
Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State)
Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)
Most Vikings followers could be elated with a participant from that checklist.
Let Jones exit, add a veteran like Javonte Williams, and draft a rookie. It’s that easy.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his every day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The present options company, evaluation, and opinion on all issues associated to the purple staff, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates again to 1996. Listed responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doorways (the band). He follows the NBA as carefully because the NFL.
All statistics offered by Professional Soccer Reference / Stathead; all contractual info offered by OverTheCap.com.
