The Minnesota Vikings made a subtle but significant change to their offensive philosophy this season regarding how they treated the running game.
In 2023, the Vikings ran the ball on 36.7% of their plays, the third-fewest in the NFL. Given how the offense underperformed two years ago, especially their running backs, the team prioritized the position last season. They added Aaron Jones early in free agency and Cam Akers at the deadline to give themselves a much-needed upgrade from the Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler one-two punch that finished 2023.
Minnesota’s offense was much improved this season partially because Jones and Akers allowed their play-calling to be more balanced and got the team into second-and-manageable situations. That allowed them to open up the playbook and avoid obvious passing situations. While Jones and new addition Jordan Mason may be a good fit for now, there are still questions surrounding the Vikings’ running back room.
The Vikings must find a long-term solution to the running back situation in the draft. Given they are picking in the later parts of the first round, they are in the perfect spot to capitalize on front offices valuing running backs less in the draft and either stick at their spot and pick their guy or trade back into the second round and add some capital while drafting a high-level talent on Day 2.
Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson is one player they could look to target in the middle rounds.
Ashton Jeanty has gotten all the hype this season after putting up video-game numbers at Boise State. However, Johnson has put together an enviable season after almost single-handedly carrying Iowa’s anemic offense.
Johnson carried the ball 240 times for 1,537 yards and 21 scores and never fumbled the ball in his three seasons at Iowa. At 6’0”, 225 lbs., Johnson already has an NFL-ready body and is built to be an early down bruiser at the NFL level.
When Johnson runs the ball, he demonstrates elite power and ability to work through contact. He seems to get stronger as the game progresses, wearing out the front seven. Even when paired in a committee with a more elusive back, Johnson can wreak havoc on a tired front seven because of his size.
Vikings fans have seen a similar archetype of running back in Mattison. However, Johnson’s elite vision and ability to hit the correct hole separates him from the former Minnesota running back.
Johnson is a patient runner who can thrive in a gap or zone running scheme. He routinely demonstrates the ability to accelerate and get to his top speed when he hits the gap. Johnson also demonstrates great contact balance and can use his size and power to break through defenders who make lazy attempts to arm tackle him. These attributes make him incredibly dangerous between the tackles and when he gets to the second level.
While Johnson demonstrates great speed when working as a north-to-south runner, he struggles to move laterally and when he must make more than one cut. He projects to work best in a zone-blocking scheme like Minnesota’s. However, Johnson must have a backfield partner who can get lateral and work on the outside like Aaron Jones.
There is a lot to love about Johnson’s game, but he will drop in the draft because of his shortcomings. Notably, he struggles in pass protection and the receiving game.
We have seen how essential running backs are in the passing game in both protection and as pass catchers in the modern NFL. Jones did an admirable job in pass protection, and he thrived as a pass catcher, extending drives and getting yards after the catch while serving as a check-down option underneath.
With Iowa’s relatively nonexistent passing offense, Johnson rarely got the chance to make plays in the receiving game, recording just 29 catches in his three years. Granted, 22 of the 29 grabs came this season, even though Johnson ran a simplistic route tree.
Still, Johnson finished third in receptions and yards for the Hawkeyes this season, so Iowa’s offense and quarterback play held him back. Iowa didn’t ask him to pass protect much, creating a meaningful uncertainty about his game.
Johnson might not be the modern NFL running back who is a weapon in both the running and the passing game. Still, he can immediately come into the rotation as an early-down back and serve as the closer in the fourth quarter, punishing an already tired front seven as the offense looks to control the clock.
He’s more than NFL-ready. Still, the Vikings would serve Johnson well by putting him in a committee with a running back who is a bit different stylistically while he adjusts to the NFL. Minnesota might be the perfect spot for Johnson, as he can learn behind Jones and Mason while he looks to develop his game further.