2025 NFL Free Agency and Draft: RB

I like TreVeyeon Henderson to be honest. His health is a big concern for me. He really is a 3 phrase RB, and I have read is probably the best blocker in the group and in the past 5 years as well. Has the speed, quickness, and movement to be a big play threat at any time of the game. There isn't a part of his game that is lacking, whatsoever. His health is a huge question. Do you take a chance on someone, that very well could be the best and most complete back in the NFL, that has health concerns about finishing a season or do you take someone else in a deep class

I know a guy who really likes backs who can pass protect...

Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson didn't have a big night on the stat sheet vs. Notre Dame but if it wasn't for this pass pro pickup on Will Howard's 56 yard pass to Jeremiah Smith, Howard probably doesn't get this pass off.

Best pass protecting RB in the 2025 draft. pic.twitter.com/90rXhKJpnu

— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) January 21, 2025

Omarion Hampton is tailor-made for Greg Roman’s scheme with the Chargers. Feels like a Harbaugh type of RB.

Kaleb Johnson fits really well in Minnesota with KOC and their outside zone heavy run concepts. https://t.co/ByCFkfuhlH

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) January 20, 2025

Jordan Reid
@Jordan_Reid
Omarion Hampton is tailor-made for Greg Roman’s scheme with the Chargers. Feels like a Harbaugh type of RB.

Kaleb Johnson fits really well in Minnesota with KOC and their outside zone heavy run concepts.

Omarion Hampton is tailor-made for Greg Roman’s scheme with the Chargers. Feels like a Harbaugh type of RB.

Kaleb Johnson fits really well in Minnesota with KOC and their outside zone heavy run concepts. https://t.co/ByCFkfuhlH

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) January 20, 2025

I like Judkins too...

That could just be recency effect from the NC game last night.

TheWinterSKOLdier wrote:
https://x.com/Jordan_Reid/status/1881456124899250562

Jordan Reid
@Jordan_Reid
Omarion Hampton is tailor-made for Greg Roman’s scheme with the Chargers. Feels like a Harbaugh type of RB.

Kaleb Johnson fits really well in Minnesota with KOC and their outside zone heavy run concepts.

I love Kaleb Johnson. His knock is pass catching though and not sure I like that in this offense. He isn't much of a pass blocker either. I think those two things really hurt him.

I just read this morning that the Vikings are projected to receive a 3rd round comp pick this season for losing Cousins. That's probably the sweet spot to take a running back

purplefaithful wrote:
I like Judkins too...

That could just be recency effect from the NC game last night.

I really like Judkins also. Reminds me of David Montgomery.

supafreak84 wrote:
I just read this morning that the Vikings are projected to receive a 3rd round comp pick this season for losing Cousins. That's probably the sweet spot to take a running back

I really like Judkins also. Reminds me of David Montgomery.

Yup - Montgomery is the comp. Tough, hard-nosed.

Probably a UDFA, but he's got some juice. Bigger all-star games are coming up soon. Shrine on the 30th, Senior Bowl couple days later. 

The #Vikings met with Utah RB Micah Bernard at the Hula, per @_RyanFowler_. Bernard had 1,009 rushing yards this season, and averaged 5.12 yards per carry. pic.twitter.com/yPdiCwbJS5

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) January 22, 2025

It would be nice to find some real value at RB for a change. Dudes like Pacheco who runs like his hair is on fire and loves contact and in the lower rounds.

If we draft a RB in the first I’ll puke. IOL/IDL for gods sake.

Bullazin wrote:
It would be nice to find some real value at RB for a change. Dudes like Pacheco who runs like his hair is on fire and loves contact and in the lower rounds.

If we draft a RB in the first I’ll puke. IOL/IDL for gods sake.

The depth at RB says you can probably wait to get one. But I think if it's not RB, it's CB or DT. I can almost guarantee it won't be IOL. I think it makes much more sense to fix that in free agency with proven players. We can't afford to wait for a rookie to develop. What's more, the IOL class doesn't appear to be very good at the top. The first one may not be drafted until the 2nd round.

MaroonBells wrote:

The depth at RB says you can probably wait to get one. But I think if it's not RB, it's CB or DT. I can almost guarantee it won't be IOL. I think it makes much more sense to fix that in free agency with proven players. We can't afford to wait for a rookie to develop. What's more, the IOL class doesn't appear to be very good at the top. The first one may not be drafted until the 2nd round.

^^^

Thats a pretty consistent take regarding IOL this year...

If we want to improve right away, FA is the most direct path (and the most expensive). 

Heck, FA may have more impact on the 2025 Vikings than the draft, might be more exciting too. That was certainly the case in 24.

StickierBuns wrote:

At #24, there will be an obvious BPA....which will probably really infuriate some fans, but its better than reaching for need. But I think the two (need and best player available) could very well align at this spot for Minnesota (CB,DT,OiL) as these are the types that usually 'slide' for teams taking or reaching for skill players.

Unless Ashton Jeanty somehow fell I can't imagine we even need a skill player.  We've got them covered.  Lets fix your list above of CB or trenches.

I'm not wed to how they attempt to fix this, but it has to be fixed for any hope of a playoff run. Jones and Akers as starting RB's next year wouldn't juice me up in the least. 

They finished in the bottom half of the league in total rushing yards (1,855), yards per attempt (4.1) and yards per game (109.1) during the regular season.

Most glaring was their nine rushing touchdowns, third-fewest in the league; only the Browns and Jets (8) and Cowboys (6) scored fewer.

And while those issues were often covered up by a successful passing attack, the final two games of the season showed how critical it is to have a run game that can relieve pressure from the quarterback and force defenses to diversify.

Startribune

purplefaithful wrote:
I'm not wed to how they attempt to fix this, but it has to be fixed for any hope of a playoff run. Jones and Akers as starting RB's next year wouldn't juice me up in the least. 

They finished in the bottom half of the league in total rushing yards (1,855), yards per attempt (4.1) and yards per game (109.1) during the regular season.

Most glaring was their nine rushing touchdowns, third-fewest in the league; only the Browns and Jets (8) and Cowboys (6) scored fewer.

And while those issues were often covered up by a successful passing attack, the final two games of the season showed how critical it is to have a run game that can relieve pressure from the quarterback and force defenses to diversify.

Startribune

we saw both of those RBs rip off nice runs when they had good lanes to do it with,  fix the damn OL and that will vastly improve the running game... you know why you see the low TD numbers?  our IOL cant get any push and in the redzone you compress the D making it even more clogged in the middle,  and you cant always run outside the tackles as the defenses are expecting that due to the lack of interior push.

RB is the least worrisome position for me on the team right now.

JimmyinSD wrote:

we saw both of those RBs rip off nice runs when they had good lanes to do it with,  fix the damn OL and that will vastly improve the running game... you know why you see the low TD numbers?  our IOL cant get any push and in the redzone you compress the D making it even more clogged in the middle,  and you cant always run outside the tackles as the defenses are expecting that due to the lack of interior push.

RB is the least worrisome position for me on the team right now.

The only RB under contract is Ty Chandler. 

Aaron Jones seems like a smart guy. He likely knows he'll be 31 before end of next season and he can't command what he once did. So I think there's a decent chance he signs another cheap 1-year deal this spring. And it would be great to have him back...as part of a committee or as a backup. But you can bet the Vikings will bring on JJ's RBOTF this offseason, either in free agency, trade or the draft.

StickierBuns wrote:

Agreed. They want that skillset quad of JJM, RB1, Jets and Hock to set that window moving forward.

The RB class is so deep this year. Just not sure when you take one when our picks are already so limited.

StickierBuns wrote:

Yep, get that point as well. Draft well?  :cool:

This same conversation is starting to merge into multiple threads lol. The point is, you can find a RB in the 2nd and 3rd rounds that can make an instant impact. Unless its a CB that falls to 23, move down and take one of the picks you get for a RB in one of those rounds. I feel thats the best way to go in our situation.

While I agree you can draft productive running backs throughout the draft, I don't think I'd throw a fit if the Vikings decided to draft one in the 1st round as long as they fill some of those other roster holes in free agency as expected. If a top end running back is what they decide is the best way to help out McCarthy next season and puts the offense over the top..I'm down for it. It's exactly what the Lions did in taking Gibbs. I certainly don't expect that to be the direction we go in, but I could see some justification for it.

MaroonBells wrote:

The only RB under contract is Ty Chandler. 

Aaron Jones seems like a smart guy. He likely knows he'll be 31 before end of next season and he can't command what he once did. So I think there's a decent chance he signs another cheap 1-year deal this spring. And it would be great to have him back...as part of a committee or as a backup. But you can bet the Vikings will bring on JJ's RBOTF this offseason, either in free agency, trade or the draft.

and you cant swing a dead cat without hitting 3 of them looking for work.  RB is likely the easiest position to fill which is why its really not a concern for me.  IOL is my primary concern,  then DB and IDL.

supafreak84 wrote:
While I agree you can draft productive running backs throughout the draft, I don't think I'd throw a fit if the Vikings decided to draft one in the 1st round as long as they fill some of those other roster holes in free agency as expected. If a top end running back is what they decide is the best way to help out McCarthy next season and puts the offense over the top..I'm down for it. It's exactly what the Lions did in taking Gibbs. I certainly don't expect that to be the direction we go in, but I could see some justification for it.

they had their OL, and QB in the fold already when they took Gibbs,  not to mention IIRC they had a pocket full of draft picks.  our  situation isnt quite to that level just yet.  IMO at least 1 year off from looking at a high round RB,  otherwise those premium picks would be better used on positions that have longer careers and or maybe take a year or two before they are ready to really roll.