The Vikings Should Upgrade the RB Depth ‒ Here Are 2 Candidates
The Minnesota Vikings transitioned away from longtime rusher Dalvin Cook after the 2022 season. Many were confused as to why the team moved on following a 1,100-yard campaign, but his 2023 downfall proved the decision-makers right. However, appointing his replacement, Alexander Mattison, as his successor was the wrong move.
The Vikings Should Upgrade the RB Depth ‒ Here Are 2 Candidates
Mattison was axed early in the offseason, and Aaron Jones was signed to take his spot. Jones is 29 years old and not a solution for the future. Regardless of his age, he played exceptionally well late in the 2023 season, a year in which injuries hurt his availability.
The Vikings need a contingency plan because of the nature of the running back position and Jones’ injury history. Ty Chandler is his backup after a late-season breakout last year but he doesn’t have an extensive track record. Still, as an RB2, he is a solid option.
Behind the duo, however, the depth is underwhelming. The Vikings have cut sophomores, DeWayne McBride and Mo Ibrahim, leaving only kick returner Kene Nwangwu and veteran Myles Gaskin on the roster.
Nwangwu is an outstanding kick returner but struggles to read the running plays properly, leading to missed holes. He is also a liability as a pass protector, and coaches will be extremely hesitant to send him onto the field if that is the case.
Gaskin is a former starter for the Miami Dolphins, but he hasn’t been much of a factor in the last two seasons, tallying only ten carries since the 2021 season. Another depth piece could help fill that void of a capable RB3.
Two guys are available.
Matt Breida
29-year-old Matt Breida re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers a few weeks ago, but he didn’t make the cut. Breida has a ton of experience in a zone running offense, which would fit Minnesota.
He spent last season with the New York Giants, who primarily used him as a third-down running back. Breida is a decent pass protector and has played the role of depth RB2 or RB3 for years.
The Vikings should absolutely not view Breida as someone who could carry the running game if Jones went down, but he is a superior version of Gaskin, which would automatically improve the depth.
Samaje Perine
Perine was, just like Breida, part of the 2017 draft class. Breida went undrafted, and Perine was Washington’s fourth-round pick. Kevin O’Connell was Washington’s QB coach in 2017.
After two seasons in the capital, Perine had a short stint with the Dolphins and then spent almost four seasons with the Bengals, where he developed into one of the best receiving backs in the league.
Last year, in free agency, he signed with Sean Payton’s Broncos. Unfortunately for him, undrafted rookie Jaleel McLoughlin slowly carved into his role as the third-down back, and the team wants to keep the younger and cheaper back.
Perine still logged a solid 455 receiving yards last season. Unlike Breida, he has not yet been released but is available via trade.
It should be noted that a trade would save the Broncos $3 million in salary cap, meaning that Denver can’t command any significant trade price. He will be available for a future late-round pick and would certainly be a huge boost for Minnesota’s depth running back room.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt