Could RB DeWayne McBride See Playing Time Right Away for the 2023 Vikings?

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

The Minnesota Vikings made six selections in the 2023 NFL Draft, with only one of these selections coming within the top-100 picks. That selection was, of course, WR Jordan Addison who Minnesota took with the 23rd overall pick.

However, because the remaining five selections were selected so late in the draft, getting any sort of major contribution right away would be somewhat surprising, thus putting them in the ‘sleeper’ category. So, which of these Vikings rookies could be the sleeper contributor?

Purple Headlines
Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; USC wide receiver Jordan Addison poses for a photo on the NFL Draft Red Carpet before the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Well, Chris Trapasso from CBS Sports sees a world where RB DeWayne McBride could be that player for Minnesota:

I’m way too enamored with McBride. I have to keep reminding myself he was a seventh-round pick. But if there’s one position on the field that can reasonably make an impact being that late of a pick, it’s running back, and McBride has the goods. I’m telling you. That missed-tackle rate doesn’t happen by accident.

And there’s a (good?) chance Dalvin Cook isn’t on the roster at the start of the season, right? That would leave only Alexander Mattison — and 2022 late-rounder Ty Chandler — ahead of McBride on the depth chart. McBride will contribute and could sneak into a vital role in Minnesota in Year 1. He’s bouncy, with plus vision, and experience in a zone-blocking scheme.

DeWayne McBride
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

Trapasso doesn’t bring up Kene Nwangwu here, which is understandable considering he has been a career return man to this point since being selected in the fourth round of the 2021 Draft. He has recorded just 28 touches over the first two years of his career, and those touches have amounted to only 105 yards.

In fact, with the NFL’s new kick-return rule being implemented in 2023, there is a chance that Nwangwu could be one of the cuts when training camp comes to an end this summer. If that is the case, and Dalvin Cook gets moved, Trapasso would be proven correct that only Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler stand in the way of McBride and the Vikings backfield.

The best chance of McBride seeing playing time next season is if the Vikings opt not to take a ‘bell-cow’ approach with Mattison, instead deciding to share the workload with all the running backs on the team.

Rushing Attack
Oct 9, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (2) celebrates a first down against the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

If that happens, there is certainly a chance McBride could see some time on the field in 2023. This is especially the case with Minnesota’s supposed commitment to being a more balanced offense rather than being pass-first all the time.

For now, though, McBride remains RB5 on the Vikings roster. A lot would have to happen in the next couple months to get him extensive playing time with the offense this year.

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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