5 RB prospects who could transform the Vikings offense in 2024
By Ben Donahue
Vikings running back prospect No. 4
Dillon Johnson, University of Washington
It’s a strong possibility that the Vikings will wait until the middle rounds to grab a running back. If that’s the case, Johnson will most likely be available. Projected as a second-fourth round pick, Johnson starred in 2023 for the Washington Huskies.
He began his collegiate career at Mississippi State but had a tough time cracking the starting lineup. Between 2020 and 2022, Johnson had a total of 1,198 yards and 11 touchdowns. He then decided to enter the transfer portal and head to the Pacific Northwest. Along with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and head coach Kalen DeBoer, Johnson thrived in Seattle.
During his lone season as a Husky, Johnson ran the ball 233 times for 1,195 yards and 16 touchdowns. In the PAC-12 championship game against Oregon, the 6’0, 218-pound Johnson ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns. He then added two more scores and 49 rushing yards in the CFP semi-final against the Texas Longhorns before leaving the game with an ankle injury. Johnson played through the pain in the National Championship game against Corum and Michigan and tallied just 33 yards on 11 carries.
Johnson doesn’t have a large body of work at the Division I level, but his 2023 performance suggests that he will be a good NFL running back. As a collegian, Johnson had receiving totals of 173 catches for 1,054 yards and one touchdown. His ability to both run and receive out of the backfield will help Johnson’s draft position.