{"id":63336,"date":"2019-04-13T08:57:40","date_gmt":"2019-04-13T12:57:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=63336"},"modified":"2021-03-20T08:58:24","modified_gmt":"2021-03-20T12:58:24","slug":"minnesota-vikings-draft-targets-running-backs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/04\/13\/minnesota-vikings-draft-targets-running-backs\/","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Vikings Draft Targets: Running Backs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Minnesota Vikings<\/a> have lost valuable running backs in each of the last two free agency periods. Jerick McKinnon<\/a><\/strong> left for San Francisco in 2018, and Latavius Murray<\/a><\/strong> headed to New Orleans back in March. With the NFL Draft less than two weeks away, the Vikings must find a replacement to help behind Dalvin Cook<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Dalvin Cook will be the lead back for Minnesota this upcoming season. However, there are a ton of question marks after that. Ameer Abdullah<\/a><\/strong> was brought back on a one-year deal, but he did nothing last season with the Vikings. The other two backs on the roster showed promise last pre-season, but haven\u2019t proven to be viable backups. Both Roc Thomas<\/a><\/strong> and Mike Boone<\/a><\/strong> will compete to be RB3, but the Vikings need a clear-cut backup that can carry the ball consistently when Cook takes a breather.<\/p>\n

Not to mention Dalvin Cook has battled injuries in each of his two seasons in the NFL. If the Vikings want to succeed in 2019, they need an insurance plan in case that trend continues. So, here are some guys they can target late in the draft that will come in and make an immediate impact. Note that early-round names aren’t listed because Minnesota will probably invest those picks in other positions.<\/p>\n

Minnesota Vikings Running Back Draft Targets<\/strong><\/h2>\n

James Williams, Washington State<\/h3>\n

James Williams<\/strong> might be the most intriguing running back in the draft. He has an innate ability to make defenders miss in space. If he is given the ball on the outside, whether on a swing pass or an outside carry, he can burst around the edge and wreak havoc. Williams is also a very good receiving weapon out of the backfield and he has the ability to change the game from that standpoint. While he isn\u2019t the most effective runner when given the ball up the gut, his explosive ability makes him well worth a draft pick. His size may limit him a little bit at the next level, but he can be a very good complementary back in the right system.<\/p>\n

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James Williams was best in the NCAA on not going down on 1st contact. Williams will be a late pick but his receiving skills and contact balance are second to none in this draft.#JamesWilliams<\/a> #WashingtonState<\/a> @DraftDiamonds<\/a> @EatSleepFF<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/wRCF4FmfEZ<\/a><\/p>\n

— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) April 6, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n