5 Vikings players to watch vs. the Packers in Week 16

Mike Boone – RB

With the injuries to Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison, it appears Mike Boone is in line to get the start this Monday night.

While inexperienced, Boone is a violent runner who always seems to be going at full speed. He’s tough to bring down and he has shown soft hands in the passing game. The Vikings should feel very comfortable with him in the lead role.

Boone came off the bench against the Chargers last week and ran for 56 yards and two touchdowns. While much of that was in garbage time long after the game was decided, he was still impressive. Boone was able to find the holes and bounce off of some tackles, making longer gains out of what initially didn’t look like much.

Minnesota loves to run the football and they will surely roll with the “next man up” mentality in this game. Boone could be seeing upwards of 25 touches on Monday, but this is an opportunity this youngster has been his entire career waiting for.

If he can make the most out of it and produce, it’ll not only be good for the Vikings, but it will be good for the young running back’s financial future.

With Mattison and Cook ahead of him on the depth chart, Boone won’t be the lead dog in Minnesota any time soon and he could look for opportunities elsewhere when his contract is up. This could be the game that makes him the cheddar he’s looking for.