2016 Minnesota Vikings positional evaluation: Running backs
By Adam Carlson
Overall running back evaluation
Sadly, football is a team sport and these individual grades are all lower than they should be based on the talent of the individuals being evaluated. If these players had a better group of blockers, they would likely be much more successful.
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But this could be the final time the Minnesota Vikings ever have Adrian Peterson suiting up. Add in the team’s hesitation on bringing back Matt Asiata last year, and you have a team that could see some new faces in the backfield for the 2017 season.
Thankfully, there are young and talented players on the roster. Both Jerick McKinnon and C.J. Ham give hope for the future, and there are always capable players in the NFL Draft or free agency who can help to fill in the gaps if some players don’t return.
With how historically awful the Vikings pass rush was during the year, it’s actually kind of generous to give a passing grade to the unit as a whole. Since their success is so dependent on those players making holes for them, they can get a pass for their performance as a whole.
Overall running back grade for 2016: D
Next: 2016 positional evaluation: Quarterbacks
What did you think of the performances of these running backs? Are the grades fair? Do you project a different group of ball carriers for the team during the 2017 NFL season? Let us know in the comments below. Up next in this series, the Minnesota Vikings tight ends will be evaluated.