Vikings Should Give a Free Agent a Call
The Minnesota Vikings have made numerous changes this offseason in an attempt to position the roster to get over the hump in January, as their last playoff victory came in the 2019 postseason. But they could still do more.
Free Agent RB Is Perfect for the Vikings
At the running back position, the Vikings first re-signed Aaron Jones ahead of free agency and then went on to trade for 49ers rusher Jordan Mason, opting against picking someone in the loaded draft class.
Considering the low number of draft choices at Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s disposal, that might not have been the worst move. With those two guys, he solidified a strong duo for the upcoming season. At this point, the RB3 job is Ty Chandler’s to lose. His competition is last year’s practice squad player, Zavier Scott, and undrafted rookie Tre Stewart.
A free agent has announced that he’s ready to return after a couple of years on the sidelines. Nyheim Hines, a former Colts and Bills halfback and return man, wants back in. The Vikings could use a player with his skill set, so why not invite him for a workout?
The 2018 4th-rounder was interviewed by Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer and said, “I’m far from done, and the story is in my hand. I put myself in this position, but as athletes, we’re in an unfortunate situation in a job … that we can’t control everything, but the pen is always in our hand, based on our performance. So, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to grab that pen and write whatever story I want.”
A jet-ski accident in the 2023 offseason cost him the past two seasons.
Hines added, “I could have died. So many things could have been worse. So, I’m thankful that I’m here to tell this story and be an example of what you don’t need to do.”
The runner has appeared in 81 career games (17 starts) and rushed for 1,202 yards and ten touchdowns. His strength, however, has always been as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. That way, he has produced another 1,778 yards and eight scores as one of the premier third-down specialists.
In addition to that, he has 89 punt returns under his belt and 32 kick returns (two touchdowns each). The Vikings have not re-signed punt returner Brandon Powell, and kick returner Chandler hasn’t been convincing in that job.
“I think I can go out there today and help a team win,” Hines declared. “It doesn’t take much of a playbook to catch a punt or catch a kickoff, and trust your blocks, and have great vision to do what you have to do. But like I’ve always said, I’ve always been an elite returner, but I feel like I’m an offensive player with elite return abilities.”
“When I’ve had opportunities [on offense], I’ve had great success. … Obviously, I want to go on Day 1 and be a return guy — if it’s kick or punt return. If you ask me to be a gunner or ask me to be a personal protector on special teams, then I’m going to do whatever I’ve got to do. And then, hopefully, I learn the playbook and help a team out there [on offense], because I know I’m still a mismatch out there. I’m still fast, I’m still quick, and I’m ready to go.”
The Vikings keep replacing Chandler on offense, and he has been uninspiring as a returner. He started into each of the past two seasons as the RB2 behind Alexander Mattison and Aaron Jones, but dropped to third, both times usurped by trade target Cam Akers. So why not add the competition before the season starts?
Hines could compete for the RB3 gig and even carve out a role as a pass-catching specialist out of the backfield and challenge the flurry of young players for the return jobs.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.