Vikings Training Camp 2023: Top takeaways from padded practice
By Adam Carlson
Vikings takeaway No. 3
The rookie running back could be a dual threat.
It was a bit surprising when the Minnesota Vikings drafted running back DeWayne McBride in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft when they already had two young running backs they hadn't been using offensively but that might be a bit clearer now.
Not known as a receiver in college, DeWayne McBride was noticed by Tyler Forness of USA Today's VikingsWire running some good routes in the passing game and seeming quite comfortable hauling in receptions.
It will be interesting to see how the running back depth chart shakes out since both Ty Chandler and Kene Nwangwu are also reletively unknown when it comes to offense but the opportunity is there behind Alexander Mattison on the depth chart.
The rookie out of UAB is no stranger to an end zone. He ran for 38 touchdowns in three seasons at the college level with more than half of those coming in 2022. If he could add pass catching to his skill set, he would become even more dangerous.