The Vikings signed Latavius Murray in the offseason, and then they drafted Dalvin Cook in the second round. But Jerick McKinnon is also still with the team, and to his credit he believes he'll be a factor in the backfield. Though it really doesn't seem likely.
"Don't count me out," says McKinnon, who at least has more experience in the team's offense than the new additions. "I'm ready to prove myself."
McKinnon averaged 3.4 yards per carry last year, at least some of which can be blamed on the team's lousy offensive line. But there's also the fact that McKinnon didn't do a whole lot with the ball in his hands at any point. Among backs with at least 20 receptions last year, very few had a lower yards per catch average than he did. Two of the four players are out of the league right now.
McKinnon doesn't seem likely to be the main ballcarrier, and if Dalvin Cook is able to pick up pass protection quickly, McKinnon shouldn't be the main back in passing situations, either. He just doesn't seem to bring enough to the table.
| RUNNING BACKS, YARDS PER CATCH, 2016 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | No | Yds | Avg |
| Tevin Coleman, Atl. | 31 | 421 | 13.6 |
| Spencer Ware, K.C. | 33 | 447 | 13.5 |
| Ezekiel Elliott, Dall. | 32 | 363 | 11.3 |
| David Johnson, Ariz. | 80 | 879 | 11.0 |
| Damien Williams, Mia. | 23 | 249 | 10.8 |
| Jordan Howard, Chi. | 29 | 298 | 10.3 |
| Melvin Gordon, S.D. | 41 | 419 | 10.2 |
| Duke Johnson, Clev. | 53 | 514 | 9.7 |
| Chris Ivory, Jac. | 20 | 186 | 9.3 |
| James White, N.E. | 60 | 551 | 9.2 |
| Shaun Draughn, S.F. | 29 | 263 | 9.1 |
| Tim Hightower, N.O. | 22 | 200 | 9.1 |
| Fozzy Whittaker, Car. | 25 | 226 | 9.0 |
| Matt Forte, NYJ | 30 | 263 | 8.8 |
| Devonta Freeman, Atl. | 54 | 462 | 8.6 |
| Giovani Bernard, Cin. | 39 | 336 | 8.6 |
| Devontae Booker, Den. | 31 | 265 | 8.5 |
| Jeremy Hill, Cin. | 21 | 174 | 8.3 |
| LeVeon Bell, Pitt. | 75 | 616 | 8.2 |
| Darren Sproles, Phil. | 52 | 427 | 8.2 |
| Matt Asiata, Minn. | 32 | 263 | 8.2 |
| Isaiah Crowell, Clev. | 40 | 319 | 8.0 |
| Latavius Murray, Oak. | 33 | 264 | 8.0 |
| Ty Montgomery, G.B. | 44 | 348 | 7.9 |
| Charles Sims, T.B. | 24 | 190 | 7.9 |
| Bobby Rainey, NYG | 20 | 153 | 7.7 |
| Todd Gurley, L.A. | 43 | 327 | 7.6 |
| Frank Gore, Ind. | 38 | 277 | 7.3 |
| Kyle Juszczyk, Balt. | 37 | 266 | 7.2 |
| DeMarco Murray, Tenn. | 53 | 377 | 7.1 |
| LeSean McCoy, Buff. | 50 | 356 | 7.1 |
| Chris Thompson, Wash. | 49 | 349 | 7.1 |
| Theo Riddick, Det. | 53 | 371 | 7.0 |
| Travaris Cadet, N.O. | 40 | 281 | 7.0 |
| Mark Ingram, N.O. | 46 | 319 | 6.9 |
| Terrance West, Balt. | 34 | 236 | 6.9 |
| Robert Turbin, Ind. | 26 | 179 | 6.9 |
| Josh Ferguson, Ind. | 20 | 136 | 6.8 |
| Bilal Powell, NYJ | 58 | 388 | 6.7 |
| Jalen Richard, Oak. | 29 | 194 | 6.7 |
| Charcandrick West, K.C. | 28 | 188 | 6.7 |
| T.J. Yeldon, Jac. | 50 | 312 | 6.2 |
| Lamar Miller, Hou. | 31 | 188 | 6.1 |
| Carlos Hyde, S.F. | 27 | 163 | 6.0 |
| Jerick McKinnon, Minn. | 43 | 255 | 5.9 |
| Rashad Jennings, NYG | 35 | 201 | 5.7 |
| Jay Ajayi, Mia. | 27 | 151 | 5.6 |
| Kenneth Dixon, Balt. | 30 | 162 | 5.4 |
| Christine Michael, Sea. | 20 | 96 | 4.8 |
--Andy Richardson