Vikings Mentioned as Destination for Unholy Good 2025 Rookie
Do you want the Minnesota Vikings to be rich-rich at running back again?
Vikings Mentioned as Destination for Unholy Good 2025 Rookie
According to one prominent draft analyst, the purple team can make that happen as a reasonable destination for Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper wrote earlier this week, “The Browns might be a fit for Jeanty, too, even though they have bigger issues. Nick Chubb will be a free agent and has a broken foot. What about the Saints? They have Alvin Kamara under contract but need more playmakers in that offense. Maybe the Bears take a shot on Jeanty to help Caleb Williams. I also think the Vikings and Steelers could make the move if Jeanty slides a little bit. They both have pending free agents at RB1 right now in Aaron Jones and Najee Harris, respectively.”
The Vikings would have to get rather creative to land Jeanty in the draft for two reasons: a) Jeanty likely won’t make it past the first 15 selections on draft night and b) Minnesota is guaranteed to pick in the 20s.
It’s also worth noting that NFL teams trading up the board for running backs is usually frowned upon by, well, everybody. In fact, draft steals at running back can typically be found later in the draft. The days of choosing running backs in Round 1, for the most part, have reduced.
On the whole, however, if Minnesota can effectuate Kiper’s theory, not a single soul in the Vikings fan community would be upset with Jeanty on the roster in 2025. The guy is that damn dynamic. He banked 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns for the Broncos (the college version) this season and is one of the draft’s hottest commodities accordingly.
Moreover, Minnesota will have a need at running back. Ty Chandler is the only halfback scheduled to be attached to the 2025 roster, as Aaron Jones and Cam Akers are due to hit free agency in 2.5 months. Of course, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can somewhat easily re-sign Jones and Akers, but initially, the RB cupboard is barren for 2025 roster-building.
Pro Football Network‘s Ian Cummings summarized Jeanty’s strengths and weaknesses last month: “At his size, Jeanty will always have some slight limitations as a pass blocker, but even there, he gives great effort and has enough strength. Simply put, Jeanty is a complete three-down volume back with the devastating creative ability to give defenses nightmares for years on end.”
The Vikings haven’t drafted a running back in Round 1 since 2007 — Adrian Peterson.
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 MIN 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.
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