Minnesota Vikings special teams coach Mike Prefer recently spoke about giving the veteran running back an opportunity to compete for the team’s open kick returner spot.
With Cordarrelle Patterson now a member of the Oakland Raiders, the Minnesota Vikings are in need of a new kick returner for the 2017 season. A number of players on the Vikings’ roster are being considered for the role, but the job could actually end up being given to someone who may see a decrease in his snaps on offense this year.
After having one of the NFL’s worst rushing attacks last season, the Vikings beefed up the talent level in their backfield this offseason and it has gotten a bit crowded. The result of new additions like rookie Dalvin Cook and former Raiders’ running back Latavius Murray will likely mean less opportunities to carry the ball for veteran back Jerick McKinnon in 2017.

In his three seasons with Minnesota, McKinnon has been a versatile part of the team’s offense. His skills are not at the level of a top NFL running back, but McKinnon is able to perform most of the tasks put in front of him by the Vikings and perform them well.

Minnesota Vikings
Since Minnesota knows how dangerous he can be at any time out on the field, the team is currently trying to find different ways to get the ball in his hands to still utilize his abilities in 2017. Special teams coach Mike Priefer commented on Sunday about the possibility of McKinnon even becoming the Vikings’ new kick returner this season saying he would, “like to give him an opportunity,” at the job.
McKinnon does not have a ton of experience returning kicks (only three returns in college, one in the NFL), but it does not seem like a stretch to think it is a role he could perform well in.
During his college days at Georgia Southern, he did just about everything on offense. Being a triple-option quarterback at the school, McKinnon threw passes, ran the ball, and even hauled in a few catches.
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Minnesota having him as their new kick returner this season would allow the team to still provide the running back with opportunities to make plays for them. Something that could be hard to come by this year if he is restricted to just being a member of the Vikings’ offensive backfield.