2026 Free Agency and Draft: RB
I think I'd add Wake Forest's Demond Claiborne to this list linked below. This class doesn't have the depth of last year's class, but right now it seems there are 7 RBs that I'd be pretty happy with: Love, Price, Coleman, Johnson, Washington, Claiborne and Singleton. While I loved Singleton the first time I put him on (he's the best physical specimen in this class) his poor final season does cause some concern.
Still, unless we bring back Aaron Jones, and I doubt we do, we need a starter on day one, so I think this could be a position where we tap into the free agency market. Breece Hall, Travis Etienne and Kenneth Walker III all free agents, with Etienne the most likely to hit the market IMO.
https://youtube.com/shorts/SG2o8GS_NJg?si=jv0ga4OyijBISGVh
MaroonBells wrote:
I think I'd add Wake Forest's Demond Claiborne to this list linked below. This class doesn't have the depth of last year's class, but right now it seems there are 7 RBs that I'd be pretty happy with: Love, Price, Coleman, Johnson, Washington, Claiborne and Singleton. While I loved Singleton the first time I put him on (he's the best physical specimen in this class) his poor final season does cause some concern.Still, unless we bring back Aaron Jones, and I doubt we do, we need a starter on day one, so I think this could be a position where we tap into the free agency market. Breece Hall, Travis Etienne and Kenneth Walker III all free agents, with Etienne the most likely to hit the market IMO.
https://youtube.com/shorts/SG2o8GS_NJg?si=jv0ga4OyijBISGVh
One of the announcers during the SB mentioned that Walker while a very good runner was lacking as a pass receiver & blocker. I doubt that would make him a fit in the KOC offense.
Knucklehead wrote:
One of the announcers during the SB mentioned that Walker while a very good runner was lacking as a pass receiver & blocker. I doubt that would make him a fit in the KOC offense.
I heard that too. Definitely something to consider.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Seahawks are unlikely to use their franchise tag on Walker entering an offseason in which they have several key free agents to try retaining as they look to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles.
The estimated franchise tag value for running backs in 2026 is $14.5 million. Seattle does project to have $63.6 million in cap space this offseason.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I'll be very interested to do a deep dive on the RBs before the Draft.
My favorite RB in the draft other than Love is Jadarian Price. I expect he goes as high as Rd 2. I like Emmett Johnson too. While not as deep as last year's class, there are several good RBs in this class. For a very late pick, check out Robert Henry Jr from UTSA. I would love to get him in the 6th or 7th.
dadevike wrote:
My favorite RB in the draft other than Love is Jadarian Price. I expect he goes as high as Rd 2. I like Emmett Johnson too. While not as deep as last year's class, there are several good RBs in this class. For a very late pick, check out Robert Henry Jr from UTSA. I would love to get him in the 6th or 7th.
Emmett Johnson is getting a lot of love right now. Bucky Brooks has him RB2. I like him, but right now I wouldn't take him before Price or Coleman. Couple things I don't like about him is that he's not much of a pass protector, plus he'll spend some time dancing and juking looking for the big play instead of just moving the chains.
MaroonBells wrote:
Emmett Johnson is getting a lot of love right now. Bucky Brooks has him RB2. I like him, but right now I wouldn't take him before Price or Coleman. Couple things I don't like about him is that he's not much of a pass protector, plus he'll spend some time dancing and juking looking for the big play instead of just moving the chains.
True, Johnson is not very good in pass pro. But that is generally the case with high end backs coming out of college. Claiborne is not good at pass pro either. Neither is Price. Love is one of the better backs in pass pro, but I am assuming he will be gone by 18.
dadevike wrote:
True, Johnson is not very good in pass pro. But that is generally the case with high end backs coming out of college. Claiborne is not good at pass pro either. Neither is Price. Love is one of the better backs in pass pro, but I am assuming he will be gone by 18.
Pass pro is a big part of why we should've drafted our back last year. It is a specific talent that some very good backs just don't master as rookies. It's interesting to me that even the back who was supposed to be the best pass blocker from last year's class, Tre Henderson, struggled with it as a rookie. It's why he didn't get a lot of early playing time.
This is another reason why it might be best for the Vikings to get their RB from free agency. We need a RB1; we don't have time to dink around developing one.
Wonder if Dallas is out of the LOVE sweepstakes with their recent signing of Javonte Williams?
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Vikings met with RB Chris Mosley from North Carolina Central University.pic.twitter.com/nn9BY8IiRF https://t.co/0Qm1lJ0hAr
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) February 23, 2026
MaroonBells wrote:
[twitter]https://x.com/TPPSkol/status/2026005980929052932?s=20[/twitter]
Reminds me of a version of Bills RB James Cook, maybe not quite as explosive.
#Huskers RB Emmett Johnson confirms with us that’s he’s met formally with the #Vikings & that it went very well.
— Vikes\/erified (@VikesVV) February 27, 2026
“Going back home would be a blessing, I’m born & raised in Minneapolis, MN”
👀 pic.twitter.com/aDLxv404Rs
6-1, 223 and 4.33 speed.
Mike Washington 4.33 unofficial 40 pic.twitter.com/B5A8V8eK90
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 28, 2026
MaroonBells wrote:
6-1, 223 and 4.33 speed.Mike Washington 4.33 unofficial 40 pic.twitter.com/B5A8V8eK90
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 28, 2026He is not small but he does not break a ton of tackles. However, give him a crease or have a defender take a less than perfect angle, and he is a threat for a big play at any point. I would not mind Washington if we cannot get Price.
dadevike wrote:
He is not small but he does not break a ton of tackles. However, give him a crease or have a defender take a less than perfect angle, and he is a threat for a big play at any point. I would not mind Washington if we cannot get Price.
Agree. This is not Skattebo. He doesn't run angry and he's not particularly shifty. But that size/speed combo is going to have some teams salivating.
StickierBuns wrote:
That's what I've been saying, but we'll see....VikingzFanPage
@vikingzfanpage
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10m
It’s “probably more likely” that the #Vikings choose to draft a RB compared to signing one in free agency, per
@SeifertESPN
.“With 9 draft picks, possibly 10 (comp picks), it’s probably more likely the Vikings are looking to draft a RB, who wouldn’t necessarily be the starter on opening day in 2026, but certainly be in position to be a contributor throughout the course of the season.”
I really hope thats not the case...They dont have a #1 RB and that aint helping #9 at all.
Maybe they can trade for Montgomery ;)
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
StickierBuns wrote:
That's what I've been saying, but we'll see....VikingzFanPage
@vikingzfanpage
·
10m
It’s “probably more likely” that the #Vikings choose to draft a RB compared to signing one in free agency, per
@SeifertESPN
.“With 9 draft picks, possibly 10 (comp picks), it’s probably more likely the Vikings are looking to draft a RB, who wouldn’t necessarily be the starter on opening day in 2026, but certainly be in position to be a contributor throughout the course of the season.”
I don't agree with Siefert on this at all. I think the Vikings will more likely add a free agent back than one from the draft. Maybe even one from each, because the Vikings need a starter on day one, and they need numbers.
Ty Chandler is a free agent. Ham is retired. Jordan Mason is a RB2 and Zavier Scott is an undrafted free agent. No matter who the Vikings add at QB, a big part of their success (or failure) is going to be connected to how well we run the ball.
Unless we somehow get lucky with Love, the rookie back we bring in will be a day two pick at best. Can you count on that guy? I'm gonna say no. Tre Henderson was a phenomenal prospect—uber successful, big program, loves to pass block, goes early on day two, but doesn't start for the Pats until week 9, because he couldn't be trusted to—wait for it—pass block.
No, the Vikings should've taken their back last year. Now they need to cover for that in free agency.
MaroonBells wrote:
I don't agree with Siefert on this at all. I think the Vikings will more likely add a free agent back than one from the draft. Maybe even one from each, because the Vikings need a starter on day one, and they need numbers.
Ty Chandler is a free agent. Ham is retired. Jordan Mason is a RB2 and Zavier Scott is an undrafted free agent. No matter who the Vikings add at QB, a big part of their success (or failure) is going to be connected to how well we run the ball.
Unless we somehow get lucky with Love, the rookie back we bring in will be a day two pick at best. Can you count on that guy? I'm gonna say no. Tre Henderson was a phenomenal prospect—uber successful, big program, loves to pass block, goes early on day two, but doesn't start for the Pats until week 9, because he couldn't be trusted to—wait for it—pass block.
No, the Vikings should've taken their back last year. Now they need to cover for that in free agency.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
That's what I've been saying, but we'll see....
VikingzFanPage
@vikingzfanpage
·
10m
It’s “probably more likely” that the #Vikings choose to draft a RB compared to signing one in free agency, per
@SeifertESPN
.
“With 9 draft picks, possibly 10 (comp picks), it’s probably more likely the Vikings are looking to draft a RB, who wouldn’t necessarily be the starter on opening day in 2026, but certainly be in position to be a contributor throughout the course of the season.”
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