Matt Asiata may have difficult time sticking around with Vikings

Matt Asiata has had a nice little run with the Vikings but he’s going to face a bunch of competition from young backs this year.

After being signed to a bargain contract of $840,000 over one year with $60,000 guaranteed, Matt Asiata knows that a spot on the Vikings roster is not in fact guaranteed.

When camp begins, the Vikes will have at least three young, hungry rookies looking to take Asiata’s job.

On Tuesday the Vikes added to their stable of undrafted rookie running backs, signing Duluth native and former Augustana University player C.J. Ham.

Ham earned his shot with the Vikings after impressing coaches at this weekend’s rookie minicamp. At 6-1, 238 pounds Ham is a big, strong runner who could figure as a short-yardage/third-down back.

You know, the exact same role Matt Asiata has filled for the Vikings since 2013.

Ham won’t be alone in trying to knock off the veteran Asiata and win a job as the third running back. The Vikings also picked up a pair of backs during the initial UDFA signing period immediately after the draft.

At 5-9, 204 pounds Brandon Ross isn’t a big strong runner like Ham, but he does possess good explosion and he showed strong all-around skills at Maryland. Ross may have the versatility necessary to be an asset on third downs.

The Vikings’ second UDFA running back signing, Jhurell Pressley (5-10, 206), may lack the all-around skill-set of a Ross but his production at New Mexico was impressive and with some work he could possibly improve his receiving skills and become a weapon.

Vikings coaches this offseason have preached competition, and it’s clear they mean to open things up at the third running back spot and see what happens.

Asiata has been a reliable player for Minnesota, and has produced decently when called upon to step up, but with his plodding running style he’s not a very dangerous weapon as a third-down back.

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The Vikings know Asiata will do an adequate job at whatever he is called upon to do, and that trust factor will work in his favor when camp rolls around, but nothing about Asiata’s game grabs you whereas each rookie mentioned above has at least one or two attributes that make him intriguing.

If Asiata is going to stick around, he’ll have to show more of the same determination and work ethic that got him to the NFL in the first place. And even that might not be enough this time.