Vikings Are a Team to Watch for Free Agent RB
During the tenure of previous general manager Rick Spielman, the Vikings always had a star running back in the backfield. Adrian Peterson is still the last non-quarterback to win the MVP trophy for his heroics in 2012. Following his release in 2017, the Vikings handed the RB1 gig to second-round rookie Dalvin Cook.
Vikings Are a Team to Watch for Free Agent RB
That philosophy exited the building with Spielman, as successor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah hasn’t put as many resources into the RB room.
Cook survived one season under his watch and was released in the 2023 offseason. Considering his post-Vikings track record, it was a smart move by the executive. Promoting long-term backup Alexander Mattison to RB1 was not.
Last offseason, the Vikings replaced Mattison by signing former Packers runner Aaron Jones. In his first season with the club, Jones elevated the rushing attack and recorded over 1,500 yards from scrimmage.
However, he is 30 years old, and an age-related decline is inevitable. The veteran also suffered multiple injuries throughout the season, limiting his efficiency and, in some games, even his availability. Jones is a strong return candidate, but the Vikings might still look to replace (or at least support) the impending free agent with a different runner.
The good news is that the free agency pool is filled with intriguing contenders for an RB1 job somewhere.
One of them is Denver’s Javonte Williams. A once-promising rusher needs a fresh start. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox believes the Pittsburgh Steelers are the best fit for him, but also said the Vikings are a team to watch in his sweepstakes.
“Pittsburgh could be the perfect landing spot for Williams,” Knox suggested. “He’d have a chance to reestablish himself in Smith-s run-first offense, while the Steelers would get a suitable complement to Jaylen Warren, possibly at a fraction of the cost of re-signing Harris. The Chiefs may consider Williams if they don’t retain Hunt, and the Vikings could be interested even if they do re-sign Jones. Minnesota running backs coach Curtis Modkins held the same role in Denver during Williams’ rookie season.”
Having a history with coaches is always a decent indicator of whether there’s any interest, and the fact that Minnesota’s RB coach Curtis Modkins coached Williams during his best season to date increases the chances that there’s mutual interest for a reunion.
Williams entered the league in the second round of the 2021 draft. Out of the University of North Carolina, the running back quickly made an impression on the NFL, rushing for 903 yards and four touchdowns in his debut season while adding another 316 yards and three scores as a receiver.
Unfortunately, his second year was cut short (four games) due to a torn ACL. With Sean Payton’s arrival in 2023, the Broncos implemented a committee in the backfield, and he lost his workhorse status. In the last couple of years, Williams tabulated a total of 1,287 rushing and 574 receiving yards and nine touchdowns from scrimmage.
The situation didn’t do him any favors, according to Knox. “The dip in production could be a product of the 2022 injury, or Williams may simply not be the best fit for Sean Payton’s offense. Either way, a change of scenery would probably be best for Williams.”
Denver featured an unusual mix of four running backs and relied on someone else in some contests. In his last couple of seasons, Williams averaged an abysmal 3.6 yards per carry.
But that’s where he’s becoming an interesting free-agency prospect. Because of that, he will be affordable, and betting little money on a once-capable running back to rekindle his career in a different situation doesn’t seem like a bad bet. Knox foresees a deal cheaper than the one the Vikings gave to Mattison two years ago.
“Williams’ next contract will hinge heavily on whether teams believe he can recapture his 2021 form,” Knox suggested. “He has a projected market value of $6.9 million annually, though that actually feels high, given his recent production. A one- or two-year deal in the $3-4 million-per-year range is probably more realistic.”
Due to his versatile skill set, the impending free agent is the type of back head coach Kevin O’Connell could like. He offers the requisite receiving skills a halfback needs in his offense, and he is one of the top pass protectors at his position, earning a borderline elite grade from PFF.
He won’t turn 25 until April and could be just the right guy because he would be a fit as a complementary back next to Jones, and he could be the RB1 if Jones departs in free agency. The Vikings could also pick a running back in the draft, especially because the RB class is viewed as a deep one.
Regardless of Jones’ future and the draft, Williams is a potential free-agent target for the Vikings.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and 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