Veteran Free Agent RB Recommended for Vikings
Dustin Baker
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The Minnesota Vikings already have a platter of promising running backs on the current June depth chart, but why not add more?
That’s the word from CBS Sports, anyway.
Veteran Free Agent RB Recommended for Vikings
The Vikings cut ties with longtime halfback Dalvin Cook on June 9th, paving the way for incumbent RB2 Alexander Mattison to take over RB1 duty, with Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, and rookie DeWayne McBride filling out the RB roster.
But CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin recommended eight running back pairings with various teams this week, and for the Vikings, he nominated veteran J.D. McKissic as a free-agent fit.
Benjamin explained, “Minnesota signaled with its release of Cook that it doesn’t intend to commit big money to the position, but new starter Alexander Mattison is owed just $2.4M in 2023, and his reserves are relatively unproven.”
Mattison isn’t unproven as a running back — the production is there — but an RB1 workload will be a first-of-its-kind experience for the 25-year-old, at least since college.
“McKissic is a utility-type veteran best known for his pass-catching, making him a potential plug-and-play third-down option out of camp,” Benjamin added about the Vikings possibly onboarding the ex-Commander.
McKissic will turn 30 in August and joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He’s since played for the Atlanta Falcons (2016), Seattle Seahawks (2016-2018), Detroit Lions (2019), and most recently Washington Commanders (2020-2022). Fantasy football managers will know him as ‘the other guy’ in Washington running back committees during the last three seasons.
The Arkansas State alumnus has played 70 career games, starting 14 and has recorded 2,748 yards from scrimmage on 463 career touches for 11 touchdowns. McKissic averages 4.4 yards per rush attempt in the last seven seasons and can adeptly catch the ball out of the backfield. In fact, in 2020, he notched 80 receptions for 589 receiving yards with Alex Smith and Dwayne Haskins at quarterback.
While McKissic would enhance depth, the necessity of another running back is debatable. Signing him — or any free-agent tailback — would likely jettison Chandler or McBride to the practice squad, and at that point, why not just keep both men on the active roster and not sign a McKissic-type?
A case can be made for veteran RB leadership, however, and that’s the CBS Sports angle on this one.
McKissic could also latch onto a team like Kansas City Chiefs or Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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 Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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