There is a good chance the Minnesota Vikings will draft a running back this year. But in which round would they decide to select one?
With the departure of Jerick McKinnon this offseason, the likelihood of the Minnesota Vikings selecting a running back in the 2018 NFL Draft seems pretty high.
The Vikings do already have Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray in their offensive backfield for 2018. But Cook is coming off a torn ACL and Murray is now in the last year of his contract after recently restructuring his deal.
With it being likely that Minnesota will draft a running back this year, the question is really just in what round will they select one?
If the Vikings are looking for more of a long-term option to be Cook’s backup for the future, than taking a running back with one of their first few picks might be the route they choose to take. Or since it’s not one of Minnesota’s real glaring needs this year, they could wait until one of the final few rounds of the draft to select a back.
Of the young rushers available in this year’s draft class, who are some that could possibly end up as a member of the Vikings in 2018?
Derrius Guice, LSU
Measurements:
- 5-foot-10
- 212 pounds
2017 Stats:
- 237 carries, 1,251 rushing yards (5.3 per carry)
- 18 catches, 124 receiving yards
- 13 total touchdowns (11 rushing, two receiving)
Draft Projection: Rounds 1-2
If the Vikings are looking for someone to take the place of Latavius Murray after 2018, Guice could be their guy.
Like Murray, Guice is at his best when running between the tackles. He’s a physical runner who’s not afraid to initiate contact with a defender and he also has the speed (4.49 40-yard dash time) to breakaway for a long run.
Guice is just a really solid player. He’s an above average pass-blocker and has no problem catching a few passes out of the backfield.
At least during the first part of his pro career, the former LSU running back will need a good offensive line to run behind. He struggled to produce in 2017 when there weren’t a ton of holes created by his blockers.
If Minnesota was going to use their first-round pick in this year’s draft on a running back, Guice would be a great player to select.
Jaylen Samuels, NC State
Measurements:
- 5-foot-11
- 223 pounds
2017 Stats:
- 78 carries, 407 rushing yards (5.2 per carry)
- 75 catches, 593 receiving yards
- 16 total touchdowns (12 rushing, four receiving)
Draft Projection: Rounds 2-4
Samuels was listed as an H-back at North Carolina State due to his size and ability to line up at a number of positions. Some believe he could be a tight end in the NFL, but he may be better off suited in the offensive backfield as a running back.
For Vikings fans that loved to watch Percy Harvin, Samuels possesses some of the same versatility as Harvin once did. Samuels is not as fast as Harvin, but he has the ability to either juke defenders out of their shoes or power right through them.
With Minnesota likely looking to add depth to their running back and tight end position groups in the draft this year, Samuels could be a solution for both. He would definitely be a unique player for Vikings offensive coordinator John DeFilippo to toy around with next year.
Kalen Ballage, Arizona State
Measurements:
- 6-foot-1
- 227 pounds
2017 Stats:
- 157 carries, 669 rushing yards (4.3 per carry)
- 20 catches, 469 receiving yards
- 6 total touchdowns (all rushing)
Draft Projection: Rounds 2-4
Like Derrius Guice, Ballage woud be a good option for the Vikings to draft as Latavius Murray’s eventual replacement. The former Arizona State running back rushes with a ton of power and would be a good compliment to the quick and shifty style Minnesota already has with Dalvin Cook.
However, Ballage does have some aspects of his game that are in definite need of improvement. His pass-blocking is not the greatest and at times, he’s surpassingly easy to bring down despite his size.
With 44 catches in 2016, Ballage has shown in his college career that he is capable of being an all-around back in the NFL one day. It may just take him a little longer than others before some team gives him the opportunity to be their three-down back.
Nyheim Hines, NC State
Measurements:
- 5-foot-8
- 197 pounds
2017 Stats:
- 197 carries, 1,113 rushing yards (5.6 per carry)
- 26 catches, 152 receiving yards
- 13 total touchdowns (12 rushing, one punt return)
Draft Projection: Rounds 3-5
If the Vikings are looking for someone in the draft this year who can make up for the loss of Jerick McKinnon, selecting a player like Hines would be a good option.
Minnesota Vikings
Despite being a bit smaller than most who play his position, the former North Carolina State running back was quite the playmaker in college. Hines saw a big-time increase in his snaps in 2017 and he definitely made the most of it.
Due to his small stature, he does struggle to gain yards on runs between the tackles. Hines is definitely at his best on plays that allow him use his speed and quickness (4.39 40-yard dash time) to juke defenders in the open-field like screens and tosses.
In the last two seasons, he has fumbled the ball seven times. So that is definitely something he will have to work on at the pro level.
Minnesota could be in need of a new return-man this year as well if they are unable to re-sign Marcus Sherels. Hines could be the guy that takes that job over for the Vikings given his experience in returning both punts and kicks at North Carolina State (three touchdown returns in the last three years).
Next: Which remaining 2018 free-agents could the Vikings sign?
There is even already some interest in Hines from Minnesota as he will be one of the players visiting the team during their annual “Top 30” event coming up soon. Do not be surprised if he ends up in purple and gold this year.