Backup RB options...

Don't anyone even THINK it.

Yes! Do it!

ohhh the drama

Yes we are thin at RB. Never looked at the Lion's RB depth till now. I like the top of our list better. Theirs is better if the season gets long. Like they often do. Lion's have been chasing RB's for years. Like we did with WR's. Wish I knew who our #3 was. More then a familiar name others mention.

@"Wetlander" said: I think we're going to miss Jet more than we realize...

In an ideal world, Dalvin is Dalvin and stays healthy.  Murray is over his ankle injury that hampered him for the first half the season...

But what if one of these guys misses time?  Are we really going to trot out Mac Brown, Roc Thomas, or Mike Boone?  These guys look like what they are, practice squad players or street FAs.

Honestly, I would like to see the Vikings make a trade for a guy to bring in someone competent.  We've seen what happens when you lose a good RB.

Detroit is pretty loaded with Blount, Riddick, Johnson (2nd round pick), and Ameer Abdullah.

I liked Abdullah coming out but injuries have set him back.  I think he could be the odd man out in Detroit...  maybe the Vikings could throw the Lions a 6th or 7th round pick to get him.

Thoughts?  Is there anyone else who might be a cap casualty or pushed off a roster?  LB and RB seem like two spots where we lack depth.

It's a good thought and I agree with the need. But I don't see the Lions making a trade, at least not with us - unless we give them a player that fills one of their needs. Doing that within the same division is rare. Abdullah's contract for 2018 is barely over $1M, so I think they will keep him as depth...4 good RBs on a roster isn't a big problem.

I think Mack Brown is going to surprise some people as a decent #3 RB. He's my pick to be the guy. I believe even Zimmer had a comment about him if I'm not mistaken.

I think the Vikings can easily roll with what they have.    I don't like Abdullah for any price.  Total bust.

I'm concerned about it too, Wet.  I was surprised we didn't draft a RB, actually.  Murray really improved as the season went on, but he's not that "featured" back teams game plan around.  Cook proved he can be that featured back on all downs, but like you said, it's really unknown how long it will take to be up to speed again, or if he ever will.

I know nothing about the others, but we seem thin there.  I guess the coaching staff thinks we're ok?  I can't help but think they'll be looking at TC cuts before the season starts.

It's worth considering.

I was surprised when we didn't take a back in the middle rounds. I'd definitely keep my eye on the market, but I wouldn't do it until I've had a chance to get a good look at Boone, Brown and Thomas. Remember, the damn-near MVP of the Super Bowl last year was Corey Clement, an undrafted free agent. Lotta undrafted backs making an impact in the NFL. 

I'm also a little intrigued by Roc Thomas. A little like Diggs, Roc was a 5-star recruit who won the starting job at Auburn before injuries took their toll. Transferred to Jacksonville State and put together a really nice Senior year. 

@"MaroonBells" said: I'm also a little intrigued by Roc Thomas. A little like Diggs, Roc was a 5-star recruit who won the starting job at Auburn before injuries took their toll. Transferred to Jacksonville State and put together a really nice Senior year. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUL2wvDFewY

Yep, this is the dark horse that I've heard rumored that Minnesota would like to see win the #3 job.

@"HappyViking" said: I'm concerned about it too, Wet.  I was surprised we didn't draft a RB, actually.  Murray really improved as the season went on, but he's not that "featured" back teams game plan around.  Cook proved he can be that featured back on all downs, but like you said, it's really inknown how long it will take to be up to speed again, or if he ever will.

I know nothing about the others, but we seem thin there.  I guess the coaching staff thinks we're ok?  I can't help but think they'll be looking at TC cuts before the season starts.

I know this is going to take some getting used to but.... we wont be game planning around a RB any longer... we have a real QB that is getting paid to shoulder the game plan and he should be up to the task.  some RBs will make it easier on him,  but we have all seen average RBs look like monsters with a competent passing game.  If Cook and Murray go down we are likely up shit creek no matter who the #3 is,  but we have to remember that we still have our FB/RB, CJ Hamm, that can fill a roll as well.  I am pretty ok with where we are at with the roster except the questions at LB and OL... other than that.... lets roll.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"HappyViking" said: I'm concerned about it too, Wet.  I was surprised we didn't draft a RB, actually.  Murray really improved as the season went on, but he's not that "featured" back teams game plan around.  Cook proved he can be that featured back on all downs, but like you said, it's really inknown how long it will take to be up to speed again, or if he ever will.

I know nothing about the others, but we seem thin there.  I guess the coaching staff thinks we're ok?  I can't help but think they'll be looking at TC cuts before the season starts.

I know this is going to take some getting used to but.... we wont be game planning around a RB any longer... we have a real QB that is getting paid to shoulder the game plan and he should be up to the task.  some RBs will make it easier on him,  but we have all seen average RBs look like monsters with a competent passing game.  If Cook and Murray go down we are likely up shit creek no matter who the #3 is,  but we have to remember that we still have our FB/RB, CJ Hamm, that can fill a roll as well.  I am pretty ok with where we are at with the roster except the questions at LB and OL... other than that.... lets roll.

I'm glad Maroon mentioned Clement.  That is the  final ingredient missing from this Offense: the 3rd Down RB that can line up as a WR.

Murray has been a featured back before. He's healthier. The Line is better simply through getting more reps as a Unit and expected continued growth from Elf & Easton.  Defenses will be concerned with Cousin's lethal Play Action fakes and D-Flips eye candy and  motion pre-snap.

But where's the guy who can line up wide or in the slot and create instant mismatches while still being effective with limited carries?

Cook doesn't have the experience. Murray doesn't have enough wiggle. Don't get me wrong, both guys can  catch the swing and screen passes and make hay. But neither are the total package as an RB that lines up like a WR.

Not many teams carry 3 feature backs. But most have a pass-catching scat back. Minnesota does not, which concerns me more.

@"FSUVike" said: I'm glad Maroon mentioned Clement.  That is the  final ingredient missing from this Offense: the 3rd Down RB that can line up as a WR.

Murray has been a featured back before. He's healthier. The Line is better simply through getting more reps as a Unit and expected continued growth from Elf & Easton.  Defenses will be concerned with Cousin's lethal Play Action fakes and D-Flips eye candy and  motion pre-snap.

But where's the guy who can line up wide or in the slot and create instant mismatches while still being effective with limited carries?

Cook doesn't have the experience. Murray doesn't have enough wiggle. Don't get me wrong, both guys can  catch the swing and screen passes and make hay. But neither are the total package as an RB that lines up like a WR.

Not many teams carry 3 feature backs. But most have a pass-catching scat back. Minnesota does not, which concerns me more.

how many teams are going to be able to account for Diggs or Murray out of the backfield,  Rudolph from the End, Treadwell and Theilen on one side and Diggs on the opposite?  I dont know that we need a 3rd down specialist from the RB position.

@"FSUVike" said: I'm glad Maroon mentioned Clement.  That is the  final ingredient missing from this Offense: the 3rd Down RB that can line up as a WR.

Murray has been a featured back before. He's healthier. The Line is better simply through getting more reps as a Unit and expected continued growth from Elf & Easton.  Defenses will be concerned with Cousin's lethal Play Action fakes and D-Flips eye candy and  motion pre-snap.

But where's the guy who can line up wide or in the slot and create instant mismatches while still being effective with limited carries?

Cook doesn't have the experience. Murray doesn't have enough wiggle. Don't get me wrong, both guys can  catch the swing and screen passes and make hay. But neither are the total package as an RB that lines up like a WR.

Not many teams carry 3 feature backs. But most have a pass-catching scat back. Minnesota does not, which concerns me more.

Speaking of which, Mike Boone played wide receiver in high school. He also has some really nice explosion numbers 42 inch vert if I remember right. He never really made much of an impact as a back in college, but he should at least know how to run routes and catch the ball. 

Roc Thomas is maybe less of a receiver, but definitely has some intriguing upside as a change of pace runner. He was among some very big names as a 5-star recruit coming out of high school.