Feb 28, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo‐Mensah speaks to the press at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports.
Read ’em weep — five Minnesota Vikings rookies are signed, sealed, and delivered for the next four years, with 1st-Round WR Jordan Addison having the coveted fifth-year option in 2027.
So far since the 2023 NFL Draft, the Vikings have secured rookie deals with Addison, Mekhi Blackmon (CB, 3rd Round), Jay Ward (S-CB, LSU), Jaquelin Roy (DT, LSU), and Jaren Hall (QB. BYU).
But there’s one man left to sign — running back DeWayne McBride from the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
Minnesota scooped McBride out of the 7th Round on April 29th, joining a Vikings RB room already containing Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, and Kene Nwangwu. Outwardly, it doesn’t seem like adding McBride to that crowded house makes too much sense, but Cook, a longtime Vikings mainstay, could be on the move in a couple of weeks. And after he’s gone, McBride could reasonably duke it out with Mattison, Chandler, and Nwangwu for carries in 2023.
Regarding his rookie contract, there’s no reason to believe any tomfoolery is afoot; sometimes it just takes a bit longer for rookies to sign on the dotted line. Like the five others, McBride should make it official before too long,
McBride played in 31 games for UAB, tabulating remarkable numbers, with 3,523 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns. His career average per run was 7.3 yards, an astounding figure. He’s just not much of a pass-catcher, a to-be-desired trait that might’ve scared general managers in April.
This week, former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman even touted McBride’s addition to Minnesota’s roster. Spielman said McBride was “probably the steal of the draft.”
“There were some off-the-field concerns, I believe, but nothing that I heard that off [set] teams’ boards. But the biggest issue with him was he is that he only caught two passes last year. Don’t know what his hands are like, but he’s a big, physical back with excellent vision that’s always going forward. Very productive as a runner,” Spielman added.
VikingsTerritory was unable to verify any character issues regarding McBride.
Once McBride is official, Minnesota should have a loaded offense, at least on paper. Quarterback Kirk Cousins will encounter playcalling and offensive line continuity for the first time in forever. The aforementioned Addison joins Jefferson to conceivably create the most fearsome WR duo on the planet. T.J. Hockenson patrols the middle of the field. And then the robust RB group is on tap to do damage.
We shall see if McBride makes noise this summer as a viable RB2-ish candidate — after he signs like the rest of his rookie pals.
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.