Jerome

Felton

Felton, 25, is a poor man’s Le’Ron McClain who’s yet to get extensive ball-carrying opportunities in the NFL. The Vikes showed interest in Felton when he was waived by Carolina last November. The Colts had a better waiver priority.

The Lions were high on Felton as a short-yardage option after selecting him in the fourth round of the 2008 draft. Five years later, he’s still seeking an identity as a subpar lead blocker with mediocre running ability.

Felton, a fifth-round pick out of Furman in 2008, is now on his third NFL team. The Colts may have had a high grade on him coming out of college, but he’s struggled as a lead blocker going on four seasons as a pro.

Felton looks the part at 6-foot, 246 pounds, but he’s always wanted to be more of a ball carrier than lead blocker. He won’t be missed in Carolina.

Felton was arrested in a McDonald’s drive-thru after refusing to submit to a chemical test. He signed a one-year, $750,000 deal in March. A former fifth-round pick, Felton appeared in 14 games between the Colts and Panthers last season, and is (perhaps was) the favorite for lead-blocking duties in Minnesota.

Felton already had one DUI arrest within the past ten years. He’s now subject to discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Signed to a one-year, $700,000 contract, Felton won’t be guaranteed a roster spot this summer.

Plugged-in beat writer Tom Pelissero believes Felton could command about $3 million a year on the open market. Any lead blocker would be crazy to not try to max out when they have the chance because the position absorbs so many collisions. “This is my first real opportunity to hit the free agency like I wanted to,” Felton said. “But I want to be here, so hopefully, it works out.”

This is a situation Adrian Peterson will be watching closely. Operating on a one-year “prove it” deal in 2012, Felton emerged as one of the game’s best lead-blockers while helping pave the way for Peterson’s remarkable 2,097-yard season. He’ll have plenty of leverage in upcoming negotiations.

We realized Felton’s last Rotoworld blurb was in June discussing an old DUI arrest, so we felt compelled to give him some updated love. Felton has been a beast this season, also earning praise from NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell. Like Vonta Leach a few offseasons back, 26-year-old Felton is going to be a hot commodity if the Vikings let him hit the market. Rotoworld’s Evan Silva discusses Felton’s impact -- along with Minnesota’s stunning offensive line continuity -- in his Wild Card Matchups column, accessible at the link below.

Spielman still believes Simpson “has the potential to really thrive” despite a disappointing 2012 season. He couldn’t separate from defenders and had trouble cutting after a nerve injury in his back caused weakness in his lower leg and foot. Spielman also wants to re-sign RT Phil Loadholt and FB Jerome Felton.