Should the Vikings add a running back next offseason?
Most questions about the Minnesota Vikings center around their uncertainty at quarterback; however, running back is quietly a major need for them. Finding their franchise back would give their quarterback a reliable option and help bolster their talented offense.
Aaron Jones is 31 years old, and backup Jordan Mason, while serviceable, isn’t the long-term solution. As a result, it will undoubtedly be addressed in the 2027 NFL Draft. When the time comes, don’t be surprised to hear these five names floating around Minnesota.
Jadan Baugh- Florida
Jadan Baugh is the consensus top running back in the class. The six-foot-one, 225-pound junior has had a stellar first two games, tallying 276 yards and five touchdowns.
Baugh combines a workhorse frame with amazing agility, staggering power, and encompassing vision that makes a constant home-run threat. The Vikings would need to use a first-round pick on Baugh, but he would be the focal point of Kevin O’Connell’s offense for the foreseeable future.
Kewan Lacy- Ole Miss
Kewan Lacy leapt onto the national scene with an impressive 2025 campaign and has followed that up with a promising start this year. His stats aren’t staggering, totalling 148 yards and three touchdowns, but he’s been the motor behind a productive Rebels offense.
Lacy, the five-foot-11, 205-pound junior, is a three-down back who pairs elite contact balance with excellent patience, helping him find open gaps. He’s a hassle to bring down, particularly in open space, and is a walking highlight reel. He’s the main contender for Baugh’s RB1 position.
Cam Cook- West Virginia
Cam Cook was the nation’s leading rusher last year at Jacksonville State and has shown game-changing potential at West Virginia. He’s helped lead the Mountaineers to a 2-0 start with 194 yards and three touchdowns, and he has a massive test in week three against a formidable Virginia defense.
My player comparison for Cam Cook is a worse receiving version of Alvin Kamara. I’m not saying he will reach that level, but the similarities in their running style are evident. Cook will likely be a late day-two or early day-three pick because of his lack of home-run speed and small size (five-foot-nine, 203 lbs), but he’s a value pick who could contribute immediately in an NFL offense.
DeSean Bishop- Tennessee
DeSean Bishop is an ultra-productive running back who pairs a nasty streak with great short-area quickness. He’s on pace for a breakout season at Tennessee with 244 yards and three touchdowns through two weeks.
It’s difficult for one defender to bring down Bishop. He’s already racked up 149 yards after contact, with his rapid acceleration and dominant power. He will be an intriguing option for the Vikings in April if he keeps up this pace.
LJ Martin- BYU
LJ Martin’s game can be summarized in two words: bully ball. The six-foot-two, 225-pound senior is a wrecking ball running downhill and has already shown that in 2026 with 27 attempts for 152 yards, 115 of them after contact.
Martin’s A-list trait is his incredible power, but he’s not a one-trick pony. He has smooth footwork and excellent vision that give his game nuance. His ceiling is a day-two pick, as he doesn’t have home-run speed, but he will be an impactful player early in his NFL career.
