Could the Vikings use a veteran like Kareem Hunt to add depth at running back?
The Minnesota Vikings have spent a good portion of the offseason revamping their running game, adding run-blocking tight end Josh Oliver in free agency, extending fullback C.J. Ham and releasing Dalvin Cook in favor of Alexander Mattison.
With the goal of increasing their efficiency (and creating more financial flexibility for 2024), the Vikings rushing attack could create more options for Kevin O'Connell this season as they look to get more out of the offense.
But even with all of the additions, an injury can ruin the best-laid plans in the NFL.
The Vikings were given a reminder earlier this week when Alexander Mattison left practice with a minor injury. Although Mattison told the Star Tribune's Ben Goessling that he was OK, it left the majority of first-team reps to Ty Chandler and DeWayne McBride, who own a combined six carries.
This makes the Vikings' depth in the backfield questionable and it could lead to the acquisition of a veteran backup in the weeks leading up to the season.
It starts with what the Vikings have behind Mattison. Chandler was impressive as a rookie last preseason, but that success didn't translate into the regular season. With Mattison and Cook handling a majority of the carries, Chandler served as the third-string running back before suffering a hand injury.
Despite the disappointing rookie season, Chandler had a solid offseason and showed the three-down ability that allowed him to rack up 1,308 yards of total offense during his final collegiate season at North Carolina.
"Ty's obviously a great athlete, (that's) the reason why we brought him here," Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said during minicamp. "But he's a real pro, he's been working really hard at it, as has that whole room. ... Ty's a guy that, we're continuing to give him opportunities, both in the run game and the pass game because of some of the things he can do coming out of the backfield and catching the football. He's getting better every day."
Despite the momentum coming into camp, Chandler struggled when given first-team reps this week. The Athletic's Alec Lewis noted that Chandler "lacked consistency" when given the opportunity and lost a fumble during Tuesday's practice.
Although it's one bad practice, it could have the Vikings looking further down the depth chart to increase Kene Nwangwu's role on offense.
Nwangwu has established himself as an elite kick returner since being selected in the fourth round of the 2021 draft but the NFL's new kick return rules – which allow a team to call for a touchback with a fair catch inside the 25-yard line – could force him to display his versatility.
Nwangwu was utilized more during OTAs but it seems like a last stand more than an opportunity. After sitting behind David Montgomery and Breece Hall at Iowa State, Nwangwu needs to show his worth as a running back, which could be a difficult task in O'Connell's offense.
"Can they impact us not only in the [running] game but in the [passing] game?” O’Connell said of the running back position last June. “To me, it’s about their ability to win when they’re running routes, but you got to…be willing to step in there and block a little bit in pass [protection]. It’s not something we can get full-time, real reps of without pads on right now, but you can certainly be working on your technique and fundamentals.”
While this could be a bad omen for Nwangwu, it also describes the uphill battle that McBride faces as a seventh-round pick out of UAB.
McBride was one of the best running backs in the country last year, racking up 1,713 yards and 19 rushing touchdowns while averaging 7.4 yards per carry with the Blazers. Although he had just five catches for 29 yards in three seasons at UAB, the Vikings believe he has the talent to learn how to become a three-down back – just don't expect it to be right away.
Lewis noted that McBride wasn't particularly impressive with his increased reps on Wednesday and that could leave the Vikings in a bind if Mattison suffers an injury during the season unless they add a veteran presence behind him.
A free agent running bacl?
The good news for the Vikings is that the free agent market has some strong options thanks to the devaluation of the running back position.
While Kwesi Adofo-Mensah effectively shot down the possibility of Cook's return at the beginning of training camp, Heavy.com's Max Dible theorized that former NFL rushing champion Kareem Hunt could be a fit at the right price.
"If Hunt could find $7 million on the open market, he probably would have already taken it, especially considering how difficult it is proving for even the game's top producers at the position to get paid in the contemporary NFL," Dible wrote. "If Hunt finds himself begrudgingly accepting a reality in which he must take a one-year prove-it deal somewhere to re-establish his value as a starting caliber RB, the Vikings could offer him a quality platform to accomplish that goal."
Hunt spent the last two seasons in Cleveland but didn't reach the heights he saw with the Kansas City Chiefs as a complementary back to Nick Chubb. In 17 games with the Browns, Hunt ran for just 468 yards, three touchdowns and 3.8 yards per carry.
Hunt also logged a 49% success rate according to Football Outsiders which wasn't much better than Cook's 48% rate last season. With fellow big-name free-agent Ezekiel Elliott also logging a 49% rate, there aren't many efficient options on the market, which could lead the Vikings to roll with what they have.
This creates one of the most important storylines for Thursday's preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks. With Mattison unlikely to play, McBride, Chandler and Nwangwu will have a chance to take hold of the backup role.
If they can't take advantage it could send the Vikings into the free-agent market to find a better backup plan heading into the season.
