The running game has largely been an afterthought during Kevin O’Connell’s first four years as the Vikings’ head coach. This year, with former Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith (now assistant head coach in Minnesota) helping to install a wide-zone rushing attack, the Vikings could be running it more.
And they could end up relying on speedy sixth-round rookie Demond Claiborne.
For now, Claiborne has a firm believer in veteran Aaron Jones.
“You can see it,” running back Aaron Jones Sr. said, via Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “Right away, just getting in and out of the cuts. He’s a special back in this league. I get to mentor him up and show him the way. I told him I want him to be successful, I want to see him go on and get paid and those kinds of things. He’ll be playing in this league as long as he wants to, but just got to lock in here and take care of the business.”
Claiborne, who spent four seasons at Wake Forest, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds at the Scouting Combine in February. He nevertheless fell to pick No. 198.
The Vikings also have Jordan Mason, Zavier Scott, and Jordan Mims in the backfield.
It remains to be seen if the Vikings make the full commitment to running the ball. O’Connell is a quarterback guru, and the passing game has taken precedence.
But nothing opens up the passing game like an effective running game that can force a defense to get caught flat-footed while trying too hard to get to the tailback with the ball. And with so much focus on the team’s quarterback competition, a potent running game could make life a lot easier for whoever wins the job.
