Vikings 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Dalvin Cook traded and replaced

Third Round (Pick No. 87)

DeWayne McBride – RB (UAB)

Following the decision to trade Dalvin Cook, the Vikings are going to need someone to replace him in their offensive backfield for the 2023 season.

Minnesota could just decide to roll with Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler as their top two backs in 2023, but when DeWayne McBride was still on the board in the third round, the Vikings couldn’t pass up the opportunity to add him to their roster.

At UAB last season, he averaged a whopping 7.4 yards per rushing attempt while compiling a total of 1,713 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. McBride’s performance in 2021 was just as impressive as he rushed for 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 6.7 yards per carry.

His skills as a receiver out of the backfield are a bit lacking (just five catches in the last two seasons), but that is an area of his game that can improve over time with some coaching in the pros.