Vikings Select UAB RB DeWayne McBride with the 222nd Overall Pick

Nov 13, 2021; Huntington, West Virginia, USA; UAB Blazers running back DeWayne McBride (22) runs the ball against the Marshall Thundering Herd during the fourth quarter at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

As a result of a trade down from No. 87 to No. 102 with the San Francisco 49ers, the Minnesota Vikings also received Nos. 164 and 222 in the 2023 NFL Draft. We’ve already seen BYU QB Jaren Hall become a Viking through that trade, and now, with the 222nd overall pick, the Vikings have selected UAB RB DeWayne McBride.

222nd overall pick
Dec 18, 2021; Shreveport, LA, USA; UAB Blazers running back DeWayne McBride (22) runs the ball against the BYU Cougars during the fourth quarter during the 2021 Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

McBride played three seasons for UAB where he was one of the most productive running backs over the course of his collegiate career. He totaled over 3000 rushing yards and 32 rushing TDs over the past two seasons, and over his career, he averaged a ridiculous 7.3 yards per carry.

The UAB product is a downhill runner with all the physical and athletic attributes to find success at the NFL level. The Vikings came into this draft with some uncertainty regarding the future of starting RB Dalvin Cook, so grabbing a security blanket at the position that can potentially take snaps behind Alexander Mattison (should he be the starter) is a solid choice.

Sep 11, 2021; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle Warren Brinson (97), defensive lineman Tymon Mitchell (91) and linebacker Chaz Chambliss (32) tackle UAB Blazers running back DeWayne McBride (22) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

This is also yet another prospect that the Vikings visited with prior to the draft, so he was certainly on Minnesota’s radar long before the draft began. It will be very interesting to see what type of role he takes on in the Vikings offense.

McBride is the sixth (and, unless another trade occurs soon, final) selection for the Vikings in this draft after picking WR Jordan Addison with the 23rd overall pick, CB Mekhi Blackmon with the 102nd overall pick, DB Jay Ward with the 134th overall pick, NT Jaquelin Roy with the 141st overall pick, and Hall with the 164th overall pick.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.

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