NFL Power Rankings: Which teams will have the best rushing attacks this season?

NFL Power Rankings: 30. Minnesota Vikings

2022 rushing yards rank: 27th (tied)
2022 yards per carry rank: 26th

After fielding a bottom-six rushing offense, the Vikings cut four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook. On paper, that does not look like a recipe for success.

Cook was far from a problem for the Vikings’ rushing attack last season, as he rushed for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns. Personally, he accounted for 70.6 percent of Minnesota’s rushing yards. That is staggering.

Alexander Mattison has proven himself to be a capable starter in the past, but he is not in the same tier as Cook. Last season, Mattison averaged 0.6 yards per carry fewer than Cook.

The Vikings did select UAB running back DeWayne McBride in the seventh round. I was very high on McBride as a prospect. I even ranked him as the fourth overall running back on my big board:

"McBride was an absolute force at UAB. Last season, he was second in rushing yards (1,713) and third in yards per carry (7.4). That combination of production and efficiency is unheard of. McBride performed well against top-level competition, as well. In 2021, he had 13 carries for 61 yards against No. 2 Georgia, which is impressive given the talent disparity at the line of scrimmage. He also had 28 carries for 183 yards and a touchdown against No. 13 Purdue. McBride is a perceptive back. He has great vision and awareness. Critics will get caught up in the lack of receiving usage, but McBride’s floor is still a reliable two-down back. Nearly every year there is an overlooked running back, who goes on to a big rookie season (James Robinson, Elijah Mitchell, Tyler Allgeier). In the right situation, McBride can make an immediate impact in the NFL."

Still, how many touches will the Vikings give the Day 3 pick? That is a huge variable moving forward.

At the moment, the Vikings are a bottom-tier rushing offense that is primed to take another step back.