2014 NFL Draft: Vikings Select RB Jerick McKinnon

Nov 23, 2013; Gainesville, FL, USA; Georgia Southern Eagles quarterback/running back Jerick McKinnon (1) runs the ball in for a game winning touchdown during the second half against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Georgia Southern Eagles defeated the Florida Gators 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

We all wondered when the Vikings would dip into the running back pool and pick out a back-up for Adrian Peterson.

It wasn’t really a question of “if.” Everyone kind of knew running back would be addressed in this draft.

Turns out, the Vikings got it done in the third. With their second pick in the third, Minnesota brings in Georgia Southern RB Jerick McKinnon.

Here’s the skinny on McKinnon: he’s not skinny.

He’s 5-9, 209…in that short but stoutly built category where all running backs seem to fall these days.

The other pertinent numbers on McKinnon. He ran a 4.37 40 at the combine and did 32 reps in the 225 pound bench press. Speed and power combo? Yup.

What McKinnon doesn’t have is a lot of experience at the running back position. He actually started out as a read-option quarterback and is still learning how to be a true running back.

He can run fast and he can bowl people over, and he’s a good blocker, but he has very little experience as a receiver, and the finer points of playing the position are going to take some time coming to him.

But he’ll have a pretty good mentor in Adrian Peterson, so that helps.

The Vikings here took talent over polish…again. It’s a theme in this draft. But they have definitely added some intriguing pieces.

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