Vikings 53-man roster predictions following 2023 NFL Draft
By Adam Patrick
Running Backs (4)
- Alexander Mattison
- Ty Chandler
- DeWayne McBride (R)
- C.J. Ham (FB)
Where's Dalvin Cook? Well, that's still something that needs to be determined. But Cook remaining with the Vikings for the 2023 season is something that is highly unlikely. Minnesota doesn't want to pay him at his current price and the running back doesn't want to take a pay cut. Expect Cook to be traded or released by the start of the Vikings' training camp this summer.
With Cook unlikely to return next season, Alexander Mattison is expected to take over as the Vikings No. 1 running back for 2023. It's possible that Ty Chandler, or even rookie DeWayne McBride, could pass Mattison on the depth chart before the start of the regular season. But for now, most believe Mattison will open up the 2023 campaign as Minnesota's new starting running back.
Kene Nwangwu ends up as the odd-man out from this group. Nwangwu is a great kick returner, but he hasn't made much of an impact as an actual running back in his two seasons with the Vikings. Minnesota will end up selecting a kick returner for 2023 who has a better potential to also help the team's offense.
With C.J. Ham's offensive snaps significant'y reduced in 2022, some thought the Vikings would move on from the veteran fullback this offseason. But Minnesota appears to want a more physical rushing attack next season, so not only is Ham remaining with the team for 2023, but the Vikings actually extended his contract for two more years back in March.