Veteran free agent RB recommended for Vikings

July 27, 2022; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders running back JD McKissic (23) catches a pass during the first day of training camp at The Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports.

The Minnesota Vikings already have a pool of promising running backs on the current June depth chart, but why not add more?

That’s the word of CBS Sportsanyway.

The Vikings cut ties with veteran running back Dalvin Cook on June 9, paving the way for current RB2 Alexander Mattison to take over as RB1, with Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu and rookie DeWayne McBride rounding out the RB roster.

But CBS Sports Cody Benjamin recommended eight pairs of running backs with various teams this week, and for the Vikings, he nominated veterans JD McKissic as a free agent adjustment.

Recommended by RB — October 2, 2022; Arlington, Texas, United States; Washington Commanders running back JD McKissic (23) runs the ball against Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (55) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports.

Benjamin explained, “Minnesota signaled with Cook’s firing that it doesn’t intend to commit much money to the job, but new incumbent Alexander Mattison is owed just $2.4 million in 2023, and his reserves are relatively unproven.”

mattison is not not tested as a racer, the production is there, but an RB1 workload will be the first such experience for the 25-year-old, at least since college.

September 18, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, United States; Washington Commanders running back JD McKissic (23) runs against the Detroit Lions during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han-USA TODAY Sports.

“McKissic is a utility-type veteran best known for his pass-catching ability, which makes him a potential third-down option ready to go out of camp,” Benjamin added of the possibility of the Vikings bringing in the former major.

McKissic will turn 30 in August and joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Since then, he has played for the Atlanta Falcons (2016), Seattle Seahawks (2016-2018), Detroit Lions (2019), and most recently, Washington Commanders (2020). -2022). He will be known to fantasy football managers as ‘the other guy’ on Washington running backs committees for the past three seasons.

September 25, 2022; Landover, Maryland, United States; Washington Commanders running back JD McKissic (23) carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports.

The Arkansas State alumnus has played in 70 career games, starting 14, and has recorded 2,748 yards from scrimmage on 463 career touches for 11 touchdowns. McKissic is averaging 4.4 yards per rushing attempt over the past seven seasons and can catch the ball deftly from the backfield. In fact, in 2020, he had 80 receptions for 589 receiving yards with Alex Smith and Dwayne Haskins at quarterback.

While McKissic would improve depth, the need for another running back is debatable. Signing him, or any running back in free agency, would probably throw either Chandler or McBride into the practice squad, and at that point, why not keep both men on the active roster and not sign a McKissic guy?

October 9, 2022; Landover, Maryland, United States; Washington Commanders running back JD McKissic (23) runs out of the tunnel onto the field before the Commanders’ game against the Tennessee Titans at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports.

However, a case can be made for veteran RB leadership, and that’s the CBS Sports angle in this

McKissic could also hold onto a team like the Kansas City Chiefs or Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Vikings employ the best candidates in the NFL

dustin baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube channel, vikesnow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with raun sawh and spice salt. His obsession with Vikings dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos’, Basset Hounds and The Doors (the band).

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