The Minnesota Vikings have used a devoted fullback for many years, but is that trend about to change starting with the 2017 NFL season?
Succeeding in the run game has always been a top priority for the Minnesota Vikings. Many fans can’t remember the last time the franchise went into an NFL season without the services of a fullback to use in the backfield to help create holes.
Many familiar names have held that role over the years. Zach Line, Jerome Felton, Tony Richardson, Naufahu Tahi, Ryan D’Imperio and others have held down that spot and acted as a grinder for many years.
But that could all be changing. With Zach Line currently as a free agent, the Vikings don’t have an official fullback on the roster.
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For most NFL franchises, that is normal. Only a minority of teams still use one, as they will substitute tight ends, offensive linemen, or even big defensive tackles as blockers from the backfield when necessary.
The league has changed a lot over the years. They dynamic has shifted from a physical, grinding game to one with more finesse and higher scoring. Changes to rules in the passing game have made it easier than ever to win through the air.
Minnesota themselves appear to be phasing out the position. In 2016, it was not uncommon to see David Morgan or Rhett Ellison line up in the backfield to block. And even Linval Joseph got some playing time in the spot.
The most recent player to be the Vikings fullback was Zach Line, who happens to be an unrestricted free agent. The team might sign him back after testing the market, or they may even be looking at a different target, but there’s also a chance they aren’t concerned about filling the role.
Next: Vikings free agency tracker
It is currently up in the air as to whether or not the Minnesota Vikings will use a fullback during the 2017 NFL season, but this seems like the first year that it is actually likely the team doesn’t dedicate a spot on the roster to the position.