Which players are winning position battles for the Minnesota Vikings?
By Adam Carlson
Running back: Boone vs. Abdullah
There are two early-round draft picks on the Vikings roster at running back. Former second-round selection Dalvin Cook and 2019 third-round pick Alexander Mattison will not only be on the team’s roster this year but they will get a bulk of the carries.
After last year’s performance, the expectation would likely be that Mike Boone would be a lock for RB3 after having 11 carries compared to zero for Ameer Abdullah. But that doesn’t seem to be the case at all.
Other than an ugly fumble, Abdullah has looked good this preseason, showcasing his speed and agility as well as his contributions on special teams. Boone has also played well, running the ball with power and catching the ball out of the backfield.
Abdullah handing the punt and kick returns make him the favorite, but there is still a chance Minnesota could keep four running backs and a fullback if they feel Boone can be a great special teams contributor. But, for now, he’s still got more value to prove if he wants to be on the 53.