Top 4 preseason performers for the Minnesota Vikings in 2018

Mike Boone – RB

It’s pretty interesting to think that Mack Brown was actually the favorite for many to win the Vikings’ third running back job this season before the team even took the field for training camp. But once the preseason began, Boone made Brown seem like a distant afterthought.

The undrafted rookie running back out of Cincinnati appeared in all four of Minnesota’s exhibition games this year and he ended up leading the team in rushing with 195 yards (164 of which came after contact according to Pro Football Focus).

Now, Boone did have more carries than any other running back on the Vikings’ roster this preseason (49). But he also led all Minnesota backs with four yards per carry and a 3.35 yards after contact average.

Boone also did well as a receiver out of the backfield during the preseason. He caught 10 of his 11 targets and Vikings passers had a quarterback rating of 100.0 when throwing at the rookie running back.

With his performance this preseason, Boone made Minnesota’s decision very easy when picking who their third running back would be for 2018.