Assessing the value of C.J. Ham heading into free agency
By Dean Jones
Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham is heading into free agency this offseason, but what is he worth on the current market?
It might be a position that is becoming less prominent in today’s NFL, but fullback C.J. Ham more than proved his worth to the Minnesota Vikings last season.
The 26-year-old is a restricted free agent this year and whether the Vikings are willing to offer him another contract is another difficult decision they will have to make this offseason.
Ham was an undrafted rookie out of Augustana University in 2016 who fought his way into the Minnesota starting rotation in 2019. He played 35 percent of the Vikings’ offensive snaps last year and his efforts earned him his first career trip to the Pro Bowl.
Last season, Ham had a $645,000 cap hit and he played a leading role in the much-improved performance of Minnesota’s rushing offense. Although he was handed the ball just seven times during the 2019 campaign, he also caught 17 passes for 149 yards a touchdown.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins trusted the fullback as a receiver at critical moments last season to gain much-needed short-yardage and move the chains. What was equally impressive was Ham’s blocking ability that covered up a lot of the Vikings’ interior offensive line problems.
Fullback is now considered a unique position due to the current pass-happy nature of teams around the NFL. Ham is one of the best around, but whether Minnesota can match any offer he receives given their anticipated salary cap problems this offseason remains to be seen.