Running Backs and Full Backs
Adrian Peterson ran the ball 327 times (1) for 1,485 yards (1), 11 touchdowns (1) and 4.5 yards per carry (12). Peterson also caught 30 passes (32) for 222 yards (36). However, Peterson did fumble 7 times (2).
Adrian Peterson won the rushing title and was a unanimous All-Pro selection by the Associated Press. What would seem like a phenomenal season by most standards, PFF ranks Peterson as the 23rd best back in the NFL with a player grade of 77.4. Peterson’s run score was 7th best in the nation, but it was his pass blocking that really brought down his overall grade. In terms of pass blocking, there were only 12 qualified running backs who graded worse than AD (out of 68).
Jerick McKinnon ran the ball 52 times for 271 yards (5.2 yards per carry) and 2 touchdowns, while also catching 21 passes for 173 yards and 1 touchdown. McKinnon did not play enough to be ranked by PFF, but his player grade of 71.8 would have ranked him as the number 37 in the league.
Matt Asiata carried 29 times for 112 yards (3.9 yards per carry), and earned a player grade of 65.1.
Zach Line ran the ball 6 times for 10 yards and 2 touchdowns, and caught 6 passes for 95 yards and an additional score. He was ranked as the 17th best Full Back in the NFL by PFF with a player grade of 57.8.
Wide Receivers
Stefon Diggs led the Vikings wide receivers with 52 receptions (40) for 720 yards (43) and 4 touchdowns (42), even though he only started nine games in 2015. Diggs ranked 27 (out of 119 qualifying wide receivers) with a player grade of 82.0.
Mike Wallace had the second best stats out of the Minnesota receivers, finishing the year with 39 catches (62) for 473 yards (72) and 2 touchdowns (77). Pro Football Focus rated Wallace as the 93rd best receiver in the NFL with a player grade of 55.8.
Jarius Wright was third on the team with 34 receptions (73) for 442 yards (80). Even though Wright had less receptions, yards and touchdowns than Mike Wallace, PFF rated him higher. Wright was ranked number 62 with a player grade of 70.8. As a side note, Wallace was essentially paid over $250,000 per catch, while Jarius cost under $65,000 per catch. Wright also had 1 run for 29 yards.
Adam Thielen finished the year with 12 catches for 144 yards and was graded 60.5 which would have ranked him number 83. Thielen also ran the ball 4 times for 89 yards.
Charles Johnson was projected by many (myself included) to be the best receiver on the Vikings after finishing the 2014 season on a high note. Unfortunately for him, the 2015 season didn’t pan out the way we had all hoped, as Johnson finished with only 9 catches for 127 yards and was given a player grade of 66.1 (which would have ranked him number 77 had he qualified).
Coming in last, Cordarrelle Patterson finished the season with a whopping 2 catches for 10 yards, good for a player grade of 61.5 which would have ranked him number 80. Patterson did manage to more than double his yardage total with 2 runs for 15 yards. After three seasons in the NFL, it is clear Patterson will never be more than a gadget player and return specialist.
Tight Ends
Kyle Rudolph caught 49 passes (18) for 495 yards (19) and 5 touchdowns (9). After signing a large extension with the
Vikings before the 2014 season, most people expected Rudolph to make significant strides in Norv Turner’s system. That didn’t happen this season, even though Kyle was able to play in all 16 games for only the second time in his career. Rudolph comes in at number 25 on PFF’s rankings with a player grade of 72.1.
Rhett Ellison had 11 catches for 124 yards. Ellison played enough snaps to qualify for a ranking by PFF, coming in at number 44 out of eligible tight ends with a player grade of 65.5.
MyCole Pruitt was right behind Ellison for receptions on the team with 10 for 89 yards and had a player grade of 64.0.
Next: Offensive linemen