The Minnesota Vikings have 25 players slated to hit free agency in six weeks, including running backs Aaron Jones and Cam Akers.
6 RBs to Consider for Vikings Free Agency
The franchise may or may not re-sign Jones or Akers, while the 2025 NFL Draft will be stuffed to the gills with rookie runners.
And with free agency 42 days away, these are six free-agent-to-be running backs to consider for Minnesota, listed in alphabetical order if the Vikings do not re-sign Jones or Akers.
1. J.K. Dobbins
Age: 26
Yards per Carry | 2024: 4.6
After an injury-riddled start to his career — like four seasons — Dobbins reemerged in 2024, solidifying the Los Angeles Chargers’ backfield, a team that reached the postseason under head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Dobbins produced his best career season in 2024, although — you guessed it — he missed four games due to injury. All told, he banked about 80 yards from scrimmage per game.
2. Rico Dowdle
Age: 26
Yards per Carry | 2024: 4.6
The Dallas Cowboys dinked around early in the season, skittish about allotting Dowdle a full-time RB1 workload. They stubbornly clung to Ezekiel Elliott, which did not work, but when Dowdle eventually got the rock, he excelled.
He quietly tabulated over 1,300 yards from scrimmage.
3. Najee Harris
Age: 26
Yards per Carry | 2024: 4.0
Harris has never made headlines as an overly dynamic halfback, mix-and-matching offensive touches with a player further down on this list for the last few seasons.
But he’s consistent, notching over 1,200 yards from scrimmage since turning pro in 2021.
4. Jordan Mason
Age: 25
Yards per Carry | 2024: 5.2
If you play fantasy football and drafted Christian McCaffrey last summer, well, this man probably kept your season afloat.
Mason filled in beautifully for McCaffrey before encountering his own injury late in the regular season. He’d be a player to feature in a running back by committee if Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah uses notable draft capital to select a rookie running back.
5. Jaylen Warren
Age: 26
Yards per Carry | 2024: 4.3
Warren might be the most intriguing name on this list — because he does it all.
His problem? He’s been stuck behind Najee Harris on the Steelers’ depth chart for the last three seasons. A fun fact about Warren? He’s never officially started a game in the NFL. It might be time.
6. Javonte Williams
Age: 24
Yards per Carry | 2024: 3.7
The Broncos allocate touches to running backs with more equity than most. Williams can probably handle an RB1 workload for a new team in 2025, but Denver loves to spread the carries around to players like Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, and Tyler Badie.
Williams was the 35th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He’s one of the best pass-blocking halfbacks in the sport, a trait the Vikings prefer.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.