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Minnesota Vikings free agency 2019: Top 5 targets

By Mike Phillips

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 30: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings looks to pass the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 30: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings looks to pass the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 16: Doug Martin #28 of the Oakland Raiders runs the football upfield during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Raiders 30-16. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 16: Doug Martin #28 of the Oakland Raiders runs the football upfield during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Raiders 30-16. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images) /

3. RB Doug Martin

The Vikings made it clear that they wanted to rely on the running game late in the season when they fired offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, who focused almost exclusively on the passing game. New OC Kevin Stefanski demonstrated that commitment to the run game over the final three games by calling 83 runs against 82 passes.

A run heavy game plan requires a workhorse back, which the Vikings have in Dalvin Cook, but he has been injury prone early in his career. Cook has played in only 15 games over his first two seasons due to a variety of injuries, so Minnesota really should have two quality backs on its roster to keep Cook healthy.

Backup Latavius Murray is a free agent, so the Vikings could look to replace him with another former Raider in Doug Martin. Martin entered 2018 as the backup to Marshawn Lynch in Oakland but assumed the starting role when Beast Mode went down with a groin injury in October.

The Raiders’ run game didn’t miss a beat with Martin, who averaged 4.2 yards per carry on the year while running for 723 yards and four touchdowns. Martin also finished his season strong, recording back-to-back 100 yard games to end the year.

It’s important to remember that Martin is just three years removed from a 1,400 yard season in Tampa Bay, so that upside is still there for his new team. A time share between Cook and Martin could get the best out of both backs.

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