4 luxury prospects the Vikings could pick in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
Javonte Williams – RB (North Carolina)
Running back is not the biggest need in the world, to put it mildly. The Vikings have one of the best in the business in Dalvin Cook, who enjoyed a phenomenal 2020 campaign, and he seems to be getting better with every passing year.
However, if someone like Javonte Williams drops to the third round of the 2021 draft, a discussion needs to be had by Minnesota.
The North Carolina star is coming off a 2020 campaign where he accumulated 1,445 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns while splitting touches in the backfield with Michael Carter, who is also set to hear his name called on Day 2 of the upcoming draft.
Williams has everything one looks for in the modern-day running back. He is powerful, explosive, and elusive in equal measure, with his ability to break tackles almost at will another standout to his game that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Putting Williams with Cook in two-back sets would cause endless problems for opposing defenses. Alexander Mattison is still on the roster, but few would argue the former Tar Heel doesn’t come with substantially more upside.
Williams could also take some of the pressure off Cook and help keep him fresh. Something which will be needed to get the most out of Minnesota’s top running back throughout his new deal.