3 Targets the Vikings Should Consider to Complete 2019-20 Backfield

By Brian Heintz |

Updated: Mar 12, 2019

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The bank vault is open and NFL teams are throwing money around left and right. Big names going to new places, along with big names going to familiar places. We always get contracts that were agreed upon within minutes of the Legal tampering window, as in nothing was discussed prior to Noon ET. Funny.

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via GIPHY

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With Latavius Murray being an unrestricted free agent, there has been plenty of discussion about what the Vikings do moving forward, to find someone who can compliment Dalvin Cook in the Vikings backfield. With the recent events surrounding Roc Thomas, we can scratch his name off the list.

Mike Boone was on roster last year and is another intriguing name. Boone showed some flashes in the preseason, but really didn’t get the opportunities he would have liked during the regular season, as Latavius Murray got the bulk of the carries with Dalvin Cook on the shelf.

But, let’s look at some external options that the Vikings could pick up as they head towards the 2019 season.

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Jordan Howard

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I’m throwing you a bit of a curveball with Howard. He’s a unique situation because he doesn’t hit the open market until 2020 and the Vikings would have to acquire him via trade. I highly doubt the Bears deal Howard within their own division but it’s an intriguing name, regardless.

In his first 2 seasons Howard rushed for 1313 yds and 1122 yds and 16 total touchdowns. His 3rd year brought a new coaching staff and a new game plan but he was still able to put up 935 yds and 9 TDs. Matt Nagy brought a new style of offense and it seems like they want a more versatile back. Howard will be 25 in November and would be a great change-of-pace for Dalvin… Who knows, maybe the Bears will be in a giving mood and the two teams can strike a deal.

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TJ Yeldon

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As a 2nd Round pick, TJ Yeldon’s career never really got on track in Jacksonville. A combination of injuries mixed with Leonard Fournette ultimately lead to his demise. Appearing in 51 of 64 games (including 30 starts), Yeldon totaled just 1872 yds and 12 total TDs in that time.

He is solid out of the backfield as a pass catcher (171 receptions and 6 receiving TDs in his 51 games). The change of scenery may just be what Yeldon needs. With a new OL Coach, and OL overhaul coming in MN, look for Yeldon to be an option to relieve Cook. We could even see a backfield with both guys given their ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Outside of staying in-house with Mike Boone, I believe that Yeldon could be a real possibility. He just makes sense for the Vikings.

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Blount is a very interesting and probably the most affordable option if the Vikings plan on going outside of the current roster to find a change of pace for Dalvin Cook. Blount will be 33 in December. Accumulating 56 TDs and 6,000 yards in his career. Two 1,000 yard season his rookie year and in 2016 with New England when he went for 1,161 yards and 18 TDs. Blount is a downhill battering ram who could help the Vikings near the goal line, a place they struggled in the run game last season along with everywhere else on the field. Blount struggled in Detroit last season averaging just 2.7 yards per attempt and abysmal 26.1 yards per game. A situational role, a veteran leadership, a power back that the Vikings can use if Latavius Murray decides to go elsewhere.

Prediction:

I truly believe that Murray wants some more work, and will find his way to a new home in 2019. Jordan Howard seems like more of a pipe dream because of the division rival aspect. Fun to think about though. TJ Yeldon is a name that I think will make it’s way through TCO Performance Center, I would leave the door open as to him being a replacement. LeGarrette Blount could bring that veteran leadership the Vikings would lose with Murray. A Super Bowl Champion that knows what it takes to win it all. Mike Boone will be the cheapest option, and has a season under his belt with this offense. I’d bet my money on Boone, but think Blount could be a name to watch.

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LeGarrette Blount

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Blount is a very interesting, and probably the most affordable option, if the Vikings plan on going outside of their current roster to find a change-of-pace back for Dalvin Cook. Blount will be 33 in December. He’s Accumulating 56 TDs and 6,000 yards in his career. He’s had two 1,000 yard seasons. The first was as a rookie with TB, and then in 2016 with NE, when he went for 1,161 yards and 18 TDs.

Blount is a downhill battering ram who could help the Vikings near the goal line, a place they struggled in the run game last season. Blount had a rough life in Detroit last year, averaging just 2.7 yards per attempt and abysmal 26.1 yards per game. Blount, in a situational role to help provide some veteran leadership, would be a power back that the Vikings could use if Latavius Murray decides to go elsewhere.

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Prediction:

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Prediction:

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I truly believe that Murray wants more work and will find his way to a new home in 2019. Jordan Howard seems like more of a pipe dream of mine, because of the division rival aspect, and needing to complete a trade to get him. It’s fun to think about though… TJ Yeldon is a guy that I think will make his way through TCO Performance Center before signing anywhere. I would leave the door open on him.

LeGarrette Blount could bring that veteran leadership the Vikings would lose if Murray leaves. He’s a Super Bowl Champion who knows what it takes to win it all. You can never have too many of those guys. Mike Boone will be the cheapest option, and has a season under his belt with this offense.

I’d bet my money on Boone, but think Blount could be a name to watch if the Vikings look outside of the organization.

Brian Heintz | Minnesota Sports Fan

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