Our RB Endorsement for the 2025 Vikings

By Dustin Baker

·February 5, 2025

Ohio State Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins (1) celebrates his touchdown run against Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025. © Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings’ free-agent process is five weeks away, and the team must formulate a new plan at running back.

Our RB Endorsement for the 2025 Vikings

The club ranked 27th per rushing DVOA in 2022, 27th in 2023, and 20th in 2024. So … baby steps?

On the whole, the RB strategy needs repair, and wouldn’t you know it? This offseason is a fantastic time for it, as the 2025 rookie class at tailback is wonderfully deep.

So, here’s what we would do at running back for the 2025 Vikings.

1. Let Aaron Jones Depart via Free Agency

Aaron Jones played quite well in 2024, tabulating over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 7 total touchdowns. In fact, the production marked one of Jones’ best seasons ever.

However, he won’t get any better. He’ll be 31 in December, and aging halfbacks don’t typically improve.

Therefore, because Jones will likely ask for $6-$8 million per season, we’d let him hit free agency and find another team while retaining Cam Akers at RB2. If Minnesota signs Akers outright this spring, it won’t have to trade for him — again — in 2025.

2. Sign Javonte Williams — or — Najee Harris

A prerequisite for Minnesota’s RB room? The man must pass-block.

Williams and Harris are among the NFL’s best blocking running backs, and they just so happened to be on their way to free agency if the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively, don’t re-sign their in-house guys.

Williams might be more affordable than Harris, but either way, the Vikings should add a veteran running back through free agency, using the money it would’ve spent on Jones on a player about 5-6 years younger.

Then, the franchise can seal the deal with No. 3 listed below.

3. Use the 3rd-Round Pick (Compensatory) on a Rookie RB

Ohio State Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins (1) gets away from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish defense for a long run in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025. © Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

It’s unclear, of course, how the draftboard will fall in late April, but one thing is sure — this 2025 draft class is deeper at running back than any recent year.

Because Kirk Cousins departed the enterprise last March, Minnesota will earn the 97th (or so) overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can explore one of these rookies:

Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)
TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
Kaleb Johnson (Iowa)
Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
Cam Skattebo (Arizona State)
Devin Neal (Kansas)
Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State)
Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)

Most Vikings fans would be elated with a player from that list.

Let Jones exit, add a veteran like Javonte Williams, and draft a rookie. It’s that simple.

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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.