Minnesota Vikings: 5 players who came on strong late in 2015
By Dan Zinski
With Adrian Peterson coming back, Jerick McKinnon became a man without much of a role.
Peterson gobbled up the majority of the carries throughout the early part of the season and McKinnon’s job was really just to come in and spell the workhorse back from time-to-time.
As the season wore on however, McKinnon became a more vital part of Norv Turner’s offense.
With the Vikings ditching seven-step drops in favor of the short passing game, McKinnon’s skills suddenly became a big factor.
McKinnon’s first chance to shine came in week 14 against the Bears when he caught four balls for 76 yards and a touchdown. He was large again the next week against the Giants, rushing seven times for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
McKinnon wasn’t used much as a rusher in the final two games, but did catch three passes against Green Bay and again in the playoff game against Seattle.
Norv Turner’s discovery of McKinnon’s value as an X-factor played a significant part in the Vikings’ modest offensive improvement late in the season (unfortunately that somewhat improved offense didn’t really show up in the playoff game).
What will McKinnon’s role be in 2016? We’ll have to wait and see what the Vikings do with Adrian Peterson. But there’s no doubt McKinnon has value to the Vikings.