Minnesota Vikings all-time 53-man roster: Mike Zimmer era

Running Backs

RB1 – Dalvin Cook

Some might wonder why Adrian Peterson isn’t the top running back from the Mike Zimmer era, but he only really had one good season during his time with the head coach.

No Vikings running back rushed for more yards, scored more touchdowns, or caught more passes than Dalvin Cook during Zimmer’s tenure with the franchise. Cook is an easy choice for the top spot in this position group.

RB2 – Adrian Peterson

Despite Cook being the leading rusher during the Zimmer era, Peterson was the only running back during the former head coach’s time with the team to end a season as the leading rusher in the entire NFL.

Peterson finished with more rushing yards than any other player in the league in 2015, an accomplishment that ultimately resulted in the fourth and final First-Team All-Pro selection of his career.

RB3 – Jerick McKinnon

Believe it or not, Cook is the only Minnesota player to rush for more yards than Jerick McKinnon during Zimmer’s tenure as the team’s head coach.

McKinnon was a great change-of-pace back who did well at filling in for guys like Cook and Peterson when they went down with injuries.

RB4 – Latavius Murray

Behind only Cook and Peterson, Latavius Murray ranked third among Vikings in rushing yards per game during the Zimmer era. Murray was only with Minnesota for two seasons, but he made the most of his opportunities, including finding the end zone 14 times during his time in purple.

FB – C.J. Ham

This is the Zimmer era, so you know we had to include a fullback. C.J. Ham first got significant playing time in 2017, and during the 2019 season, he became the first Vikings fullback to earn a Pro Bowl selection since Jerome Felton in 2012.