Jerick McKinnon Earning Bigger Running Back Role

Expectations were low for Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Jerick McKinnon when he was selected in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft.  He was going to settle in behind possibly the best running back in the NFL in Adrian Peterson and veteran Matt Asiata.  The team was going to bring him along slowly and let him develop into a true NFL quarterback after playing quarterback at Georgia Southern.

But sometimes things just don’t work out the way they are planned.  Adrian Peterson found himself removed from the team after the first week of the regular season and Matt Asiata proved lack the kind of explosiveness that a featured back needs in the NFL.  However, the Vikings stayed true to their depth chart after Peterson’s exit and relied on Asiata as the primary running back.  However, productivity changed everything.

Here are the two running back’s numbers in each game so far:

Week 1 at St. Louis   

• Asiata – 2 carries for 10 yards, 1 catch for 5 yards
• McKinnon – 1 carry for 1 yard

Week 2 vs New England

• Asiata – 13 carries for 36 yards, 5 catches for 48 yards and 1 TD
• McKinnon –  2 carries for 7 yards, 2 catches for 5 yards

Week 3 at New Orleans

• Asiata – 12 carries for 35 yards, 3 catches for 36 yards
• McKinnon – 2 carries for -1 yard, 2 catches for 9 yards

Week 4 vs Atlanta

• Asiata – 20 carries for 78 yards and 3 TDs, 3 catches for 22 yards
• McKinnon – 18 carries for 135 yards, 1 catch for 17 yards

Week 5 at Green Bay

• Asiata – 15 carries for 72 yards
• McKinnon – 7 carries for 24 yards, 3 catches for 22 yards

Week 6 vs Detroit

• Asiata – 2 carries for -5 yards, 1 catch for 18 yards
• McKinnon – 11 carries for 40 yards, 6 catches for 42 yards

Oct 12, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon (31) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at TCF Bank Stadium. The Lions defeated the Vikings 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

With Jerick McKinnon’s role growing in the Minnesota Vikings offense, look for more swing passes and quick dump-off passes to the dynamic running back.  His speed and elusiveness are something that can be very dangerous if he has some open space in front of him.  While McKinnon wasn’t prepared to take on so much so soon, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune,

"“Everything happened so fast. I think I prepare myself to be ready for whatever happens. There has definitely been a lot thrown my way, just from a rookie standpoint, going through a whole bunch of different things. But I think it’s helped me in my progression to become a better NFL running back.”"

But the road to a bigger role hasn’t been really easy for McKinnon, but he’s willing to put in the effort and get better.  McKinnon continued:

"“I’ve had some mistakes here and there, some mishaps here and there. But for the most part I think I’ve been consistent. I think I’ve showed them that I come to get better in practice every day in and out, so I’m just trying to build upon those things as I go along and find my way.”"

From the sound of things, McKinnon is ready to take on the role and do his best.

"“I think I’ve accepted the challenge and stepped up to the plate when my number’s called,” McKinnon said."

Jerick McKinnon will face a tough task today when the Minnesota Vikings take on the Bills in Buffalo.  The Bills come into the game allowing only 67.5 yards rushing per game, which is the best in the NFL.  Hopefully, McKinnon can help establish a ground game to make things easier on the struggling Minnesota passing game.