Minnesota Vikings: Top 10 backup running backs of all time

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 14: Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball and stiff arms defender P.J. Williams #26 of the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game on January 14, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

4. Jerick McKinnon (2014–2017)

4 seasons
12 touchdowns
1,918 yards
4.1 yards/att

The Vikings drafted Jerick McKinnon from Georgia Southern in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft. It was good timing for McKinnon as the back up to Adrian Peterson who would miss all but one game for the Vikings that season due to the child abuse case. Working in a platoon with Matt Asiata, McKinnon started six games his rookie season. Peterson returned in 2015 to start all 16 games limiting him to only 52 rushes in 2015.

His best season came in 2017 despite starting only one game. He finished second to Latavius Murray with 570 yards rushing in a season that saw Dalvin Cook suffer a season-ending knee injury. McKinnon is 18th on the Vikings career rushing leader list.

3. Onterrio Smith (2003–2004)

2 seasons
9 touchdowns
1,123 yards
4.9 yards/att

A member of the 2003 draft class for the Vikings that included Kevin Williams, E.J. Henderson and Nate Burleson, Onterrio Smith, selected in the fourth round out of Oregon, called himself the “steal of the draft.” In only two seasons Smith started nine games for the Vikings.

As a rookie, backing up Michael Bennett, he finished with 579 yards averaging 5.4 yards per carry and five touchdowns. Following the 2004 season, Smith ran into trouble at the Minneapolis airport when he was found with the Whizzinator. Following a suspension from the league Smith never played again in the NFL.

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