Vikings Backs And Receivers

The running back and receiver landscape of the Minnesota Vikings is in a rare state right now. The loss of rookie running back Dalvin Cook to a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 and the reinstatement of suspended receiver Michael Floyd in Week 5 changed that landscape.

Running backs			Receivers
Jerick McKinnon			Stefon Diggs
Latavius Murray			Adam Thielen
			Laquon Treadwell
Fullback			Michael Floyd
C.J. Ham			Jarius Wright
			Stacy Coley
			Rodney Adams

This isn't your "Vince Lombardi-Run to Daylight" offense. This is more "spread 'em out and chuck it." In the week following Cook's injury the Vikings signed Stevan Ridley to the roster to take the suddenly and sadly open running back position. Ridley wasn't in town long as he became the roster casualty when Floyd was activated on Monday. That resulted in the current, very unbalanced backs to receivers ratio. I can't recall the Vikings ever carrying seven receivers on the 53-man roster. All but rookies Stacy Coley and Rodney Adams were active for Monday night's game against the Bears. Barring injuries to the top five it's likely that will continue moving forward. But you never know. The NFL is a week-to-week business and a particular opponent might force a change in game plan and active roster. Carrying seven receivers had to shorten the depth chart at another position. That position turned out to be running back. Two running backs and a fullback is very light for one of the most physically demanding positions. It helps a little that Ham isn't strictly a fullback. He was a running back until a position switch this offseason. They also have Bronson Hill on the practice squad if they need a back in a pinch. 

It'll be interesting to see if the Vikings continue with this position disparity. As long as no other injuries hit the running back position it should be sustainable. Losing Dalvin Cook for the season was a huge blow. It took only 3.5 games to see that the Vikings offense could run through him. His versatility made the offense versatile. After several seasons of fairly modest offensive production the Vikings suddenly looked explosive at times this season. It was fun to see. With Cook, the Vikings running game could effectively set up the pass because both were a threat. It was a seamless transition between the pass and the run as his presence in the backfield wasn't a key to the team's intentions. Without Cook, the Vikings passing game might be needed to set up the run. Without that immediate running threat they might need to soften the run defense by spreading them out and completing passes downfield. With the current position numbers the Vikings have a fleet of receivers to send all over the field. Hopefully that can open up something for the backs.