Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman wasted no time in addressing the needs of the offense and will be adding a few defensive players as well. As the team faces a post-Adrian Peterson era, the running game needed a boost.
The Minnesota Vikings Improved Post-Draft Running Game
The running game needed a lot more than just a fresh face in the backfield. The holes in the offensive line needed to be plugged while also adding depth. Sam Bradford needed some new targets. Throughout the draft, Spielman and team seemed to keep these things in mind, and after some significant time on the phone and wrangling, this is what the new running game looks like.
A Deep and Crowded Backfield
Pick number 41 overall, Dalvin Cook, may be the heir apparent to the Adrian Peterson role. The Florida State star fell into the second round largely due to concerns about off-field troubles. Much of this concern was a PR disaster, rumors allegedly spread by a “runner” who was not actually an agent. This runner also supposedly had a previous agreement with Cook that was terminated before the draft.
No matter how it came about, Cook was still available. And his recruitment adds to the Vikings full roster of the recently acquired Latavius Murray, Jerick McKinnon, Bishop Sankey, and C.J. Ham. This makes for a deep backfield, with the more experienced Murray there to shape the rookie, who has some big shoes to fill.
From a team whose running game was ranked dead last in the league last year for efficiency, these acquisitions were no surprise.
The Renewed Offensive Line
Sam Bradford proved himself last year early in the season, but when an injury-riddled offensive line broke down, the team had a less-than-stellar finish. It was clear that rebuilding the depth at those positions had to be an off-season and draft priority.
It was with those needs in mind that the Vikings selected Ohio State interior offensive lineman Pat Elflein second. Elflein is said to be one of the most technically proficient blockers in this year’s draft, although some would say that he is a little undersized.
However, he has played both left and right guard and center, bringing a versatility Minnesota can’t have overlooked, especially in light of the injuries they suffered last year.
Once they selected Danny Isidora of Miami, Mike Zimmer confirmed that Elflein will probably start his career at center, and the rookie from Miami will compete with Willie Beavers and Jeremiah Sirles for a starting role at guard. His durability, mental toughness, and clear passion for the game mean that Isidora will have a long NFL career, should he remain injury-free.
Some New Targets
To make the running game viable, the Vikings need to be more unpredictable, and Bradford needs some reliable targets down the field, opening up the offense.
To accomplish this, Spielman started by picking up South Florida wide receiver Rodney Adams. Adams has similar skills to the recently departed recently departed Cordarrelle Patterson and creates similar issues. It will be hard to manufacture touches without telegraphing plays. The newcomer will definitely return kicks initially while he matures into his role as a receiver.
Virginia Tech’s Bucky Hodges brings a depth to the tight end position for the Vikings that, while not a must-have, was certainly on the want list. MyCole Pruitt left halfway through the season on waivers, and Rhett Ellison was lost to free-agency, but the presence of Kyle Rudolph and David Morgan will mean they still have depth — and a better receiving tight end for sure.
The final addition to the receiving corps, Miami wide receiver Stacy Coley, will never be a high-volume receiver. His small frame and lack of strength may force him into more of an inside role, but he’s the kind of depth the Vikings needed to find in this off season.
The Vikings entire running game has changed after the draft due to more than just the acquisition of Dalvin Cook. The changes to the offensive line and the addition of passing weapons should make them a formidable playoff contender this season.
