5 candidates to be the Vikings new No. 3 running back in 2021

Ameer Abdullah (Free Agent)

Although the Vikings are letting him test free agency, there is some hope the team can reunite with their former rusher and kick returner to keep a familiar face in the backfield and give some stability to their special teams.

So far, the running back market is slow to be signed. Only the top free agents have come off the board and none of them have agreed to terms on a contract that will pay them a significant amount next season.

This all adds up to a situation where Minnesota could potentially get Ameer Abdullah back much cheaper than they would have if they had re-signed him before the start of the new league year.

Abdullah averaged five yards per carry in 2019 and 5.3 yards per rushing attempt in 2020 with the Vikings, proving he can get some work done on the ground when needed. He is also a capable receiver when his number is called, catching 23 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns over the course of his two seasons with Minnesota.