Categories: Speculation
| On 11 years ago

What’s next for Toby Gerhart?

By Gil Alcaraz IV

It’s been three years since the Minnesota Vikings traded up to make running back Toby Gerhart a second-round pick.

Since then, he’s done nothing to prove that he’s capable of being a reliable option behind Adrian Peterson. On top of averaging a pathetic 3.4 yards per carry last season, he failed to display the power and vision that made him a top prospect coming out of college. And we all remember that disastrous fumble-fest against the San Francisco 49ers…

Unless Gerhart magically flips a switch in 2013, the Vikings will part ways with the former Heisman Trophy runner-up. What avenue they decide to take, though, is TBD.

The first, and most appealing, of the Vikings’ options is trading Gerhart, who could be an intriguing addition for a team looking to implement some power into their ground game. While the former second-round pick won’t fetch much after three underwhelming seasons, getting something for Gerhart instead of letting him walk via free agency seems logical.

The other option is severing ties with Gerhart now and avoiding disaster. Let’s talk hypotheticals…

Let’s say – knock on wood – Peterson goes down in 2013 and is forced to miss significant time due to the injury. In that instance, the Vikings would have to rely on Gerhart to carry the load with no other proven running backs on the roster. While he has been serviceable in the short-term, he’s too inconsistent and inefficient to start more than two or three games. Avoiding that situation might be a good option for Minnesota.

If the Vikings did go with Door No. 2, a free agency acquisition would become a must. The only other ball carriers currently on the roster are Matt Asiata and a handful of undrafted rookies. Not exactly comforting in terms of depth. There are several capable options – Ahmad Bradshaw, Michael Turner, Javon Ringer – wading in the free agency pool who could fill the void.

It’s something to consider moving forward, especially with Gerhart likely headed elsewhere in 2013.

Gil Alcaraz IV

Tags: adrian peterson matt asiata toby gerhart

View Comments

  • Good article, Gil, glad to see you back in the mix!

    I think teams are not willing to invest much in the way of draft picks in the RB position these days, but are willing to invest the money. So by letting Gerhart play out his contract, and then leave next offseason, the Vikes could end up getting more out of Gerhart in the form of comp pick than they would in a trade. Seeing what Blount was traded for, and being after the draft, Gerhart is more valuable on this roster than off it. That's my opinion anyways. Good stuff!

  • I wouldn't say that he has been out of the mix for 3 years. He played very well when AP went out and has shown to have surprising speed. Every team needs a quality backup RB and without Toby we have pretty much nothing behind AP.

    • I have to agree. While Gerhart doesn't offer much as a spot player, he does seem to do well as a #1 when AD is down... There are are worse options.

  • I'm with the others, Toby is a solid player and one of the (maybe the) best non starting rb in the NFL. Anybody behind AD will look bad, even a young Barry Sanders. Toby is,a terrible fit for us but I could see him thriving as a starter in Pitt or Zona.

    His style is hit them in the mouth 30 times a game, wear them down and get better as the game goes on, with only 3-4 Carries a game he can't do that he's still wearing them down. Gerhart reminds me of a poor mans Bettis or Mike Alscott.

    As for your hypothetical I believe Toby would shine as a feature back and probably increase his value if he actually got to play.

  • Toby seemed fine when he has stepped in, and I think if he had to play for a long stretch, He would continue to get better.
    Do I want that to happen No . Adrian is the man.
    But keep him just the same.

  • ...not to mention certain intangibles he brings to the table. If you were to calculate dollars spent per square inch of face, the bang we're getting for our buck with Toby is off the charts.

  • 5 RBs were taken in the second round and 1 RB in round 3 of this years draft. If the Vikings were shopping him, they would have landed a 2nd or a 3rd round pick for Toby by now. I would grade Toby higher than most of the big backs in this draft class... so it leads me to believe that the Vikings do NOT want to trade him.

    Sorry, but I disagree that Toby is too inefficient to start more than 2 or 3 games. He is at his best when he is used as a work horse.

  • The Vikings are not going to be using Toby or AP much in preseason... Now is not the time to sign a free agent RB.

    The best time to sign a quality RB would be after teams cut to 53.

    Javon Ringer has questions about his knee.... Bradshaw, Ringer and Turner will not want to come to Minnesota to compete with Gerhart for a limited backup roll. And the # 3 back needs to be able to play special teams.