2017 Camp Battles: Running Backs

LBVikings |

Jun 6, 2017

If you haven’t yet, take a look at the first article so you know what this series is about. It’s not traditional roster evaluation – look to Joe Oberle for that.

Running back is a position in the NFL with more of a blurred line between “starters” and “backups”. Because of the rotational nature of rushing attacks in today’s league, anyone with a roster spot will get touches. Players don’t necessarily compete for starting and backup jobs, but rather pieces of the offensive pie. A better performance means more touches as coaches rotate between the “hot hand”. The Vikings have little ambiguity as to who will make the roster, but the division of labor will likely settle over the course of camp. And that will be incredible to watch.

Latavius Murray – Murray feasted behind an elite Oakland offensive line in 2016, earning solid numbers and establishing himself as a reasonable starting running back. Unfortunately for Murray, reasonable starting running backs aren’t worth much. Murray signed a three year deal that functionally serves as a one year deal, and had ankle surgery immediately thereafter. Murray has a lot to prove with two young, athletic studs trying to eat into his workload. At a position where the market is diminishing, it’s incredibly important to Murray to demonstrate his value as soon as he possibly can. He’ll be a “starter” in the same sense that both Cook and McKinnon will be, and will look to maximize his market share.
Dalvin Cook – Cook’s story has been shared around, but perhaps most compelling is the rumor that his “red flags” were actually rumors perpetuated by someone with a desire to lower his draft stock. Regardless, the Vikings traded up to land Cook, and his abilities will surely shine. Cook is supposed to be “pro-ready”, and should he transition accordingly, he’d be a favorite to dominate the running game market. Murray and McKinnon provide adequate obstacles that require Cook to earn his keep and stay out of trouble.
Jerick McKinnon – Jet is the most well-known player in this entire position group. After the Vikings declined Adrian Peterson’s $18M option and let Matt Asiata walk, McKinnon was primed to finally break out as the team’s leading back. But then the Vikings signed Latavius Murray and spent their highest draft pick on Dalvin Cook. Jerick McKinnon has the skillset to contribute as a receiving scat-back, and someone who can be a mismatch against taller, slower linebackers. But if Jet wants to be more than that – and in a contract year, he most certainly does – he’ll have to fight in the preseason and in practice to take snaps away from Cook and Murray.
CJ Ham – A holdover from last year’s practice squad, Ham is on the wrong side of the roster fence, barring injury. Ham did end up on the 53 man roster toward the end of the year as the roster depleted, but returning to that spot will be an uphill battle. His only path to the 53 would be to successfully transition to fullback and replace Zach Line- a tall task considering offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s historical lack of a fullback position. As a running back, Ham could land on the practice squad for a second year, and provide insurance as a physical back that can take downhill punishment. That said, earning the spot will be tough, as his transition to fullback will limit his reps and opportunities. As a rookie tryout from Augustana, he’ll always be on the roster bubble until he can sneak into a game due to injury and shine, or challenge another roster.
Bishop Sankey – Sankey has always had the potential. He produced very well during his time at the University of Washington, showed ability with secondary RB tasks like blocking and jump cutting, and measured out excellently during the pre-draft process. But Sankey never showed the ability to turn these skills into the explosive, game-changing ability that would justify his 2nd round selection with Tennessee. Sankey has all the tools, but has yet to meet the person who can mold him. After just two years with the Titans, Sankey found himself knocked off the roster by high-profile additions DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. Eventually, Sankey wound up on the Patriots’ practice squad, before the Chiefs poached him to deal with depth issues. This was only a rental, however, while the Chiefs waited for other depth to get healthy. After a few weeks, they waived him, giving the opportunity for the Vikings to claim him. Sankey’s tour of the league left him the victim of circumstance time and time again, and barring a massive renaissance, he’ll find himself off the 53 man roster. Sankey still has plenty to gain, however, as teams yearning for running back depth will likely pull up his preseason tape. Hopefully he can earn enough reps among the young and unproven to earn him a job somewhere.
Terrell Newby – In 2013, four-star Terrell Newby committed to be a running back at a Big Ten school. Newby sat behind Ameer Abdullah for his first couple of seasons, then took over as the starter in 2015. During that time, Newby served as Nebraska’s workhorse back, pacing the team to wins over Big Ten rivals Purdue, Minnesota and Maryland. As so many rookies do after being the star in high school and college, Newby hit a wall. The former Cornhusker was shocked to have to watch the 2017 NFL Combine from the sidelines. At Nebraska’s pro day, Newby proved why he deserved an invite, running a 4.4 second 40. His time would have ranked 2nd among running backs. Still, an unofficial 40 time wasn’t enough to get Newby drafted. It was only enough to give him a chance as an undrafted free agent at Vikings training camp. Thanks to the lack of draft pedigree (due in part to his Combine snubbing), Newby will have a constant uphill battle toward success in the NFL. With the roster as tight as it is, Newby will have to work hard in camp and in the preseason to earn a practice squad slot.

Battle to Watch: The starting battle will be enough to captivate most audiences, as Dalvin Cook, Jerick McKinnon and Latavius Murray battle over pieces of the run game pie. With the amount of reps and attention devoted to that battle, however, everyone else will have to cherish their playing time more. Between a position convert, an undrafted rookie with a chip on his shoulder, and a 2nd-round pick dangling precariously above washout status, only a practice squad slot or two are available. They’ll often be simply competing over reps, and even if one were to win more opportunities, they’ll have to show their abilities constantly with those reps, lest they lose future reps. The battle between Sankey, Ham and Newby will be incredibly captivating as they’ll have to treat each rep like their last. After all, it could be.

Thanks for reading!