Each day this week, we will break down where the Vikings stand at certain positions heading into next week's NFL draft. Today, we begin the series with a look at the running backs.
The Vikings plan on having Adrian Peterson back in their backfield in 2015, but that hasn't stopped them from doing their homework on this deep and talented class of running backs, one about which General Manager Rick Spielman has been raving.
The Vikings say they won't trade Peterson — and we believe them — but that should not preclude them from taking another back after the first night of the draft.
Georgia's Todd Gurley and Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon are vying to be first running back off the board — and also the first one to be drafted in the first round since 2012.
Gurley ripped through SEC defenses before a shredded ACL ended his season in November. Gordon, meanwhile, led the Big Ten, a conference with several running backs who could be drafted this year, with 2,587 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns.
Size and explosiveness set those two apart from rest of the pack, but some NFL draft analysts believe there might be as many as a dozen starting-caliber runners in this class.
With Peterson having turned 30 last month, the Vikings could look to the future and select another youngster to complement Peterson and 2014 third-round pick Jerick McKinnon. He showed flashes during his rookie season, but they could use another between-the-tackles banger to perhaps develop as Peterson's eventual replacement.
Projected starters: Peterson will start at tailback with Zach Line at fullback.