Per PFF, Unsung Rookie Leads Vikings Preseason Grading
Dustin Baker
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The top preseason performer among all Minnesota Vikings rookies was running back A.J. Rose.
Whoodthunk it?
During the draft process, the Vikings gained national respect for their draft haul after general manager Rick Spielman finagled a trade with the New York Jets that landed Christian Darrisaw, Kellen Mond, and Wyatt Davis. All three names were notable ones amid the pre-draft cycle. Here’s the rest of Minnesota’s 2021 draft haul:
- OT Christian Darrisaw — Virginia Tech
- QB Kellen Mond — Texas A&M
- LB Chazz Surratt — North Carolina
- G Wyatt Davis — Ohio State
- DE Patrick Jones II — Pittsburgh
- RB Kene Nwangwu — Iowa State
- S Camryn Bynum — California
- EDGE Janarius Robinson — Florida State
- WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette — Iowa
- TE Zach Davidson — Central Missouri
- DT Jalen Twyman — Pittsburgh
But it was A.J. Rose — an undrafted halfback from Kentucky — that stole the show in the preseason. He even scored the Vikings only offensive touchdown in the preseason, if that can be believed.
Rose registered a preseason grade from Pro Football Focus of 75.9, a commendable feat for a man seizing his opportunity. For his handiwork, Rose was awarded membership on Minnesota’s 2021 practice squad. Other tailbacks — Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, and Kene Nwangwu — grabbed roster spots on the 53-man depth chart.
At Kentucky from 2017 to 2020, Rose tabulated 1,971 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns in 42 games. He also won the MVP award from the 2021 Gator Bowl in which Kentucky edged North Carolina State by a score of 23-21.
There will not be a robust role for Rose inside the Vikings 2021 offense. Head coach Mike Zimmer showcases a run-first offense led by the aforementioned Cook who, when healthy, receives close to the most touches in the NFL in a given season. Only Derrick Henry from the Tennessee Titans consistently touches the football more than Cook. Then, a 3rd-Round draft pick was spent in 2019 on Alexander Mattison, a player who has looked rather impressive in reservist duty for Cook. If that’s not enough, the Vikings drafted speed demon Nene Nwangwu in 2021, and he will snag the few non-Cook and non-Mattison carries that are implemented in 2021.
In theory, if Cook was hurt in 2021 — that’s happened before — Rose could see time on the field. Otherwise, Rose is the type of player that might usurp some of Mattison’s carries in 2023 if Minnesota opts not to re-up with Mattison’s services beyond a rookie contract.
On the other side of the coin for PFF, tight end Zach Davison notched the worst score among all Vikings 2021 rookies with a 40.5
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday along with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).