Vikings 2017 draft prospect spotlight: Texas RB D’Onta Foreman
By Jordan Reid
Fit on the Minnesota Vikings:
March 8 is the day many Vikings fans have circled on their calendars. For fans that are not familiar with that date, it is the final day the team has to make a decision on long-time face of the franchise running back, Adrian Peterson.
There are mixed opinions on whether the team should bring back the future Hall of Fame rusher and his $18 million cap hit, but Peterson has mentioned that he understands it is a business and wants to retire as a member of the Minnesota Vikings.
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With that being said and despite Peterson’s status, it is time for the team to bring in the running back of the future to potentially pair with Jerick McKinnon.
Foreman is a perfect match with McKinnon. The powerful runner would not only ease the load off of the fourth-year back, but he would also allow offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur to place him all over the field, allowing him to take full advantage of his skill set in their offense.
Due to poor offensive line play, the jury is still out on whether McKinnon can be a reliable number one runner. At 5-foot-9, 205 pounds, many believe that he is best served as third-down “jack of all trades” runner who can be a rushing and receiving threat.
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The Vikings have a history of valuing a prospects age, as they have selected two twenty-year-old players (Danielle Hunter and Laquon Treadwell) in the past two drafts. Foreman will turn 21-years-old just three days before the NFL Draft (April 27). An underrated factor, but important considering the short career of NFL running backs.