Matthew Hinton-Imagn Photographs
The Minnesota Vikings ranked twentieth per dashing DVOA in 2024, an enchancment from 2022 and 2023, however nonetheless want extra oomph.
Vikings RBs: The 5 Choices within the 2025 Offseason
Head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense can absolutely prepare dinner when he produces a Prime 12 or so floor sport.
Aaron Jones carried out fairly properly in 2024 because the Vikings’ keynote free-agent repair, however he’ll flip 31 subsequent season. He might not get higher. Now, on the cusp of an offseason when Minnesota should enhance to remain close to the highest of the NFC North, free company and the draft shall be used to bolster the bottom assault.
So, these are the Vikings’ 5 choices, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = almost definitely path).
5. Run It Again
Jeremy Reper-Imagn Photographs.
Aaron Jones earned essentially the most touches of his profession in a single season at age 30 with the Vikings. And for essentially the most half, he carried out properly.
Nonetheless, Minnesota’s floor sport didn’t rank wherever near the NFL’s Prime 10, so operating it again with the identical personnel doesn’t appear probably. It’s nonetheless an possibility, although — Jones, Cam Akers, and Ty Chandler in 2025.
4. Draft an RB to Pair with Cam Akers
Bob Donnan-Imagn Photographs.
Cam Akers shall be a free agent once more, however this time, Minnesota might re-sign him for affordable — as a substitute of buying and selling for him, which it has finished in back-to-back seasons.
Then, in principle, it will pair Akers with certainly one of these fancy rookie RBs:
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)
3. Signal Free Agent RB — Draft None
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports activities.
If the Vikings choose a merely veteran answer at halfback whereas saying goodbye to Jones, these are the free-agent candidates:
Najee Harris
J.Okay. Dobbins
Javonte Williams
Jaylen Warren
Rico Dowdle
Jordan Mason
2. Signal Free Agent RB + Draft One, Too
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Right here, the Vikings would signal a tailback like Javonte Williams whereas letting Aaron Jones depart in free company.
The 2025 plan can be Williams (instance), plus certainly one of these rookies (the identical as listed above):
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)
So, as an illustration — Javonte Williams and Kaleb Johnson.
1. Re-Signal Aaron Jones + Draft an RB
Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Photographs.
The identical technique applies with this selection however with Jones.
Minnesota would re-up with Jones for an additional 12 months, making the 2025 RB platter: Aaron Jones + Quinshon Judkins.
It looks like essentially the most possible final result.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his day by day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The present options company, evaluation, and opinion on all issues associated to the purple crew, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN 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 intently because the NFL.
All statistics offered by Professional Soccer Reference / Stathead; all contractual data offered by OverTheCap.com.
