2026 Free Agency and Draft: RB

purplefaithful wrote:

Or the kid from The Jets....

I think filling RB1 for the Vikings will not be easy this year and that RB room is pretty empty imo. Would not surprise me if olde man Jones is brought back again for some depth.

KAM screwed the pooch not grabbing one in a deep 25 draft.

Jets franchised Breece Hall. He's out. There's now Kenneth Walker III, Travis Etienne, several mid backs and the draft. Nebraska's Emmett Johnson is going to look good to the Vikings given his zone experience and 3rd round (ish) value. I have some issues with him, but if we don't have a back by the end of day two, we may be in trouble. 

I was as puzzled as you when the Vikings did not pull a back from last year's draft. Especially with that 3rd rounder. Both Tuten and Skattebo were on the board and we drafted a receiver I hadn't even heard of. I know he was loved by McCardell, so he was likely high on our board at that time. He may be All Pro for all I know, but the decision to go with the next WR on the board over the next RB on the board was a curious decision. And yes, that was likely KAM's decision.

MaroonBells wrote:

Jets franchised Breece Hall. He's out. There's now Kenneth Walker III, Travis Etienne, several mid backs and the draft. Nebraska's Emmett Johnson is going to look good to the Vikings given his zone experience and 3rd round (ish) value. I have some issues with him, but if we don't have a back by the end of day two, we may be in trouble. 

I was as puzzled as you when the Vikings did not pull a back from last year's draft. Especially with that 3rd rounder. Both Tuten and Skattebo were on the board and we drafted a receiver I hadn't even heard of. I know he was loved by McCardell, so he was likely high on our board at that time. He may be All Pro for all I know, but the decision to go with the next WR on the board over the next RB on the board was a curious decision. And yes, that was likely KAM's decision.

I didnt realize Hall was out...Too bad and I'm not sure how interested they are in Walker or Etienne and the $$ they will get on the mkt.

StickierBuns wrote:
I'd still love for Minnesota to draft Nick Singleton. Bigger dude with some explosion. I think his traits translate really well to the NFL. How about a round 2 pick on this guy? Oh and he can pick up the blitz in pass protect.

Yuppers...

They need to draft a quality back...I just dont think we can expect a rook to contribute on all 3 downs for a while. Which is why I'd like to sign a good FA tail-back too.

StickierBuns wrote:

Don't forget about Jordan Mason.

RB 1b ;)

I think he'll be the only one in the RB room if they dont sign some friends for him!

Source: Texans released RB Joe Mixon.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2026

Vikings hired Miami's OC, remember #FullbacksForever https://t.co/8gLsR25jJs

— Matthew Coller (@MatthewColler) March 6, 2026

StickierBuns wrote:
If you want to look at a nice hybrid fullback/H-back for the offense that can be had for either a 7th or an UDFA contract, snag this dude:

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/max-bredeson/32004252-4506-0106-e9c0-99700da8edba

6'2", 252 lbs. Former 2-time captain. Also will clean up on special teams. You obviously don't want to spend much or any draft capital on FBs, so Max would be perfect if they want another CJ Ham role for somebody.

I watched Bredeson a couple weeks ago. Like the Vikings with Ham, Michigan used Bredeson all over the field in both run and pass blocking. I like that about him. My concern would be his ability to catch passes. Ham didn't catch a ton of passes, but he was good when he did. Bredeson had 2 catches last season. And am I reading this right? Zero rushing attempts over five seasons?

Over-rated: Travis Etienne Jr., RB

Etienne improved in what might have been his final season in Jacksonville, delivering 1,103 rushing yards at 4.3 yards per carry over 17 games and finishing with 44 rush yards over expected, per NFL Next Gen Stats. It's good that the last number was positive, but Etienne was negative in that category the two prior seasons -- with minus-77 RYOE in 2023 and minus-43 in 2024 (to be fair, he had a huge plus-231 in 2022).

Paying a high-cost contract to a running back who hasn't consistently been able to get what is blocked for him is not advisable unless that back delivers in a major way in a different area. But Etienne doesn't.

While he had six receiving touchdowns last season, his 36 receptions for 292 yards weren't prolific. And critically, the Jaguars put Etienne on the field on third-and-7-plus plays only 6% of the time, which shows what they thought of him on passing downs.

ESPN

• Saints - Travis Etienne
• Chiefs - Kenneth Walker

Two popular landing spots for Jeremiyah Love inside of the top 10 just spent big money on RBs.

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) March 9, 2026

I keep wondering about Sean Tucker. Only 24 and looked like the best back in TB when given opportunities. Good thick build and fast. He won't break the bank with upside.

StickierBuns wrote:

Ryan Fowler
@_RyanFowler_
·
25m
Source: The Minnesota Vikings are hosting Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne for a 30 visit.

Dynamic ball-carrier ran 4.37 in Indy & was a two-time All-ACC selection. 907 rushing yds & 10 TDs in ‘25.

The #Vikings are hosting Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne for a 30 visit, per @_RyanFowler_. pic.twitter.com/3fAFgQEIWA

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) March 16, 2026

Claiborne's burst is video-game like. I think along with Corey Coleman and Emmett Johnson, the Vikings will have a lot of interest in Claiborne.

StickierBuns wrote:

Ryan Fowler
@_RyanFowler_
·
25m
Source: The Minnesota Vikings are hosting Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne for a 30 visit.

Dynamic ball-carrier ran 4.37 in Indy & was a two-time All-ACC selection. 907 rushing yds & 10 TDs in ‘25.

Ty Chandler ran 4.39 and had 1092 rushing for 13 TD's in '21. That went well. Does Claiborne show some knowledge of blocking so he can stay on the field on passing downs?

Jonah Coleman is a FREAK athlete😳

Here our some of his best college highlights: pic.twitter.com/571wIZ46n2

— Bando (@BandoKnowsBall) March 17, 2026

Dolphins reportedly shopping RB De'Von Achane. 5-9, 191, 4.3 speed. 2026 is a contract year. Still on rookie deal.

De'Von Achane trade destinations:

-The rest of the NFL is absolutely fucked: Seahawks
-That is a fast, fun, backfield and I love it: Commanders
-That is a fast, fun, short, backfield and I love it: Vikings
-Holy shit that's actually a great idea: Bears
-Let's run the ball every…

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 17, 2026

MaroonBells wrote:
Dolphins reportedly shopping RB De'Von Achane. 5-9, 191, 4.3 speed. 2026 is a contract year. Still on rookie deal.

I heard the asking price for Achane is a lot.

StickierBuns wrote:

Miami Herald columnist Omar Kelly thinks that's what's going to happen, writing this on X on Tuesday after the Waddle trade:

"Jaylen Waddle was traded to Denver for a first and a third. That’s good value even though it’s a low-round first and a third. Don’t be surprised if De’Von Achane is traded too. This thing is going to the studs."

If Miami was just going to drop their skirts and go all out for Manning, why even sign WIllis? lol

"Minnesota huh? That would be nice... [Justin Jefferson], best receiver in the league."

Running through some potential team fits with Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price 👀@Jadarian15 | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/9bgtpTzZc8

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) March 18, 2026

My first impression of EJ was mixed. Wasn't impressed with his patience at the LOS, which was supposed to be one of his strengths, and I thought he danced too much at the 2nd level looking for the big gain over forward yardage. But the more I watched the more I liked. Right now I have him just under Love and Coleman and above Price. 

The #Vikings are hosting Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson for a pre-draft visit in April, sources tell me and @JasonHarmonNFL.

Johnson is ranked as PFF’s No. 137 overall prospect, but there has been league-wide buzz that he could be a Day 2 player. pic.twitter.com/ybQ7mpMseP

— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) March 26, 2026

If we got Emmett Johnson at 97 I'd be happy. Put up 200+ yards vs Iowa.

Canthony wrote:

I heard the asking price for Achane is a lot.

StickierBuns wrote:

Sources: Teams that have called the Miami Dolphins to inquire about trading for Pro-Bowl RB De’Von Achane have been told that he is not available.

Frank Smith in the House to Help Fix the Rushing Offense

Down in Miami, Mike McDaniel ran the show for four years, with Frank Smith as his close lieutenant and offensive coordinator. Together, they coordinated an efficient Dolphins rushing offense, sparked by newcomer De’Von Achane in 2023.

Now, in Minnesota (as assistant head coach), the Vikings need the same juice — Smith’s help to identify the best running back from the upcoming rookie class.

https://vikingsterritory.com/2026/news/top_news/vikings-best-kept-secrets-2026-offseason

De'Von Achane was selected in the third round, pick 84, of the 2023 draft. The Vikings have picks 82 and 97 (Sam Darnold comp pick) in the third round of this year's draft.

Vikings have 3 Top 30 visits lined up with RBs. Pretty good chance they draft a RB in the first four rounds https://t.co/5jkfktWDXn

— Warren Ludford (@wludford) March 31, 2026