The Top 6 Running Back Options for the Vikings in Free Agency

Dec 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Between 2007 and 2022, Adrian Peterson and Dalvin Cook handled Minnesota’s backfield duties. Peterson lived up to his high draft status, becoming the best rusher of his generation. He will eventually be a Hall of Famer. Cook, meanwhile, was one of the elite running backs in the league during his prime.

The Top 6 Running Back Options for the Vikings in Free Agency

Cook’s final season with the Vikings was followed by one campaign in which Alexander Mattison was in the lead role. Mattison was replaced by Aaron Jones ahead of the 2024 season. Kevin O’Connell hasn’t quite figured out the rushing attack.

With Jones now set to enter the free agency pool for the second straight year, the Vikings are left with Ty Chandler and Zavier Scott. A new RB1 needs to be found, and it’s hard to envision the Vikings risking going into the draft without a capable rusher on the roster and forcing themselves into drafting one regardless of how the board is falling.

It’s fair to imagine at least one RB arriving in March. Let’s check who’s available.

6. Javonte Williams

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Jan 5, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) runs the ball in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

A former second-round pick. Javonte Williams had a fantastic rookie season, but he tore his ACL in year two. In the last couple of seasons, he tried to return to form and led the complicated backfield rotation in Denver, but averages of 3.6 and 3.7 yards per carry are way below average.

Still, he is a cheap option, and his next team hopes he can increase his efficiency at only 24 years of age. Williams can catch and protect, which surely is intriguing for coaches.

5. Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh’s running back Jaylen Warren is a restricted free agent, so the Steelers could just keep him.

Jan 4, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers returner Jaylen Warren (30) catches a kickoff against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

However, if he does become available, he is a fantastic RB2 with 1,674 rushing yards and six touchdowns in the last three seasons and a yards-per-attempt average of 4.8. In addition to that, Warren is one of the top pass-catching backs, as shown by his back-to-back seasons with more than 300 receiving yards.

Stuck in a timeshare with Najee Harris, Warren could be an excellent complementary piece, but he isn’t quite an every-down back, dropping him to the fifth spot.

4. Rico Dowdle

Jan 5, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) runs the ball against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

The Cowboys’ running back room was heavily discussed during the 2024 season because fans of the club wanted Derrick Henry instead of rolling with Rico Dowdle and Zeke Elliott. The offense was much better once the Cowboys figured out that Dowdle should get the lion’s share of carries.

He produced over 1,300 yards from scrimmage and scored five touchdowns. Just like the previous two RBs, teams shouldn’t enter a season with him as the only halfback, but all three are nice pieces in a running back rotation.

3. J.K. Dobbins

A college star from the University of Ohio State, Dobbins’ NFL career hasn’t lived up to the hype primarily because of injuries.

Dec 28, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (27) scores against the New England Patriots in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

In his first four years, Dobbins only played 24 games. However, he is coming off a wonderful season with the Chargers in which he rushed for over 900 yards and scored nine touchdowns in Jim Harbaugh’s offense, playing 13 contests.

The problem remains the extensive injury history, but he has always had the talent. He could be a boom or bust acquisition, and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has shown in the past that he isn’t afraid of signing players like that. If healthy, Dobbins is an RB1.

2. Najee Harris

Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) carries the ball against Baltimore Ravens safety Ar’Darius Washington (29) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Another highly-touted draft prospect, the Steelers picked Harris in the first round in 2021. He has been as reliable as any player in the league, playing in all 17 games in each of his four seasons in the league, recording over 1,000 yards and at least six touchdowns on the ground in all four.

Harris isn’t an explosive back, and his career average of 3.9 yards per carry proves that, but he is bringing a physical run style and is undoubtedly a throwback workhorse running back.

1. Aaron Jones

An old friend, veteran rusher Aaron Jones, is the best running back of this year’s free agency class.

Dec 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant (8) during a run play in the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

The downside is obvious: He is 30 years old and has dealt with a bunch of minor injuries in the last few years. However, he still played in every game with the Vikings and tabulated over 1,500 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns in his eighth season in the NFL.

A return makes sense, but considering his age and the injuries, surrounding him with another player from the list or from the draft class is the right move.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.


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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