Minnesota may miss out on elite RB talent early — but Day 2 prospects could offer a smarter path to youth and explosiveness.
The Minnesota Vikings should consider adding a running back in April's draft. Aaron Jones is 31 and has a $14.55 million cap hit in 2026. Jordan Mason, meanwhile, only has 395 career snaps and could benefit from continuing to split the workload.
Any realistic chance of landing Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at pick 18 likely ended on Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine. Already projected by many to be a top-10 pick, Love ran a dazzling 4.36 forty-yard dash, likely ending any chance of a draft-day free fall.
But that doesn't mean there aren't other options for Minnesota. Arkansas running back Mike Washington, Jr. ran a 4.33 forty, the fastest among the position group. The 6'1", 223-pound back cried when he learned the news.
Washington compiled a 10.0 RAS (Relative Athletic Score), ranking first among all running backs since 1987.
Right now, Washington is the 116th-ranked player on the Consensus Big Board, potentially presenting an opportunity to be drafted by the Vikings in round 3. But his impressive showing at the combine will keep him from flying under the radar.
One name who has been publicly linked to the Vikings is Nebraska back Emmett Johnson. Minnesota interviewed Johnson this week at the combine. He is also a Minneapolis native but was ultra-productive in 2025, running 251 times for 1,451 yards and 12 touchdowns.
While Johnson’s 4.56 forty ranked last among the group, the overall class tested unusually fast. His time still falls comfortably within the functional range for NFL starters.
Across size, explosion, and speed grades, Johnson generated "okay" grades. This may not mean he's a home run threat every time he touches the ball. But he has a baseline level of athleticism.
But combined with his production, Johnson is actually rated higher than Washington. Johnson is ranked 77th overall on the Consensus Big Board, in the neighborhood of Minnesota's first pick in the third round (82nd overall).
Washington and Johnson could be intriguing options that help the Vikings get younger and cheaper at running back in a pass-first system. And it's unlikely the Vikings would be willing to trade up to acquire a running back in the first round.
However, Washington and Johnson could be more easily justified moves for Minnesota. Running backs can step in and contribute right away, regardless of where they're picked. These two could become immediate contributors with impact potential from the start.
Minnesota may not have a realistic path to Love. But players like Washington and Johnson could offer a more practical way to add explosiveness without paying a premium at the position.