Minnesota Vikings quarterback Jaren Hall (16) tosses the ball to running back DeWayne McBride (37) as they face the Titans at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023.
Well, the Cam Akers reversal was unexpected. Had he signed, Akers would have been the favorite to be the RB3 on gameday.
Instead, Minnesota will move ahead with a top twosome – Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler – that inspires hope alongside a cluster of depth – Kene Nwangwu, Myles Gaskin, and DeWayne McBride – that doesn’t. Does the forgotten Vikings RB within that mix, Mr. McBride, have something to offer in his sophomore season?
DeWayne McBride, the Forgotten Vikings RB, and the Opportunity in MIN
Almost guaranteed, the Vikings will need more than just Jones and Chandler.
C.J. Ham is going to be in the mix. On occasion, the fullback may catch a pass or two and could be leaned on for some carries. One wonders about Brandon Powell, as well, since he’s a receiver who could get used on end-arounds and/or out of the backfield as a bit of a gadget player (who will nevertheless mostly be a slot weapon).
Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Brandon Powell (4) celebrates after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Even with that added support, though, there’s room for more help.
Only 23, the 5’10”, 209-pound DeWayne McBride was kept around for a reason. True, he didn’t get off the practice squad as a rookie, but Minnesota remained at least somewhat committed to him throughout that time and have continued to carry him on the roster. By definition, there’s a chance for him to step up.
So much of the initial intrigue with McBride is that he put together staggeringly impressive numbers in college.
While playing for UAB in 2022, McBride turned 233 carries into 1,713 yards and 19 touchdowns. Elite, especially once we see that the per-carry average is sitting at a sensational 7.4. The year prior, McBride had 204 carries go for 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns (6.7 yards-per-carry average).
Nov 13, 2021; Huntington, West Virginia, USA; UAB Blazers running back DeWayne McBride (22) jumps over Marshall Thundering Herd safety E.J. Jackson (21) during the third quarter at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sensibly enough, the Vikings saw elite production and decided that a 7th-Round selection – No. 222 overall – was a worthwhile gamble.
During the preseason, though, McBride looked slow among NFL players, a discouraging reality when we consider that he was playing against backup-level talent. In theory, that’s a time to shine since the competition is lessened. If McBride couldn’t explode at that level, can he do so on Sunday when it’s all starters?
Overall, DeWayne McBride rushed 20 times for 70 yards and 2 touchdowns (stats). Averaging just 3.5 yards per carry isn’t going to be enough, but the scoring is notable. For whatever it’s worth, McBride did have 1 catch for 11 yards.
In his second preseason, McBride will need show a lot more burst. His longest run last year was for just 9 yards. Getting more explosive gains and pushing the average well beyond 4.0 yards per carry would be a wonderful development for Minnesota’s backfield, especially if the scoring remains high.
Aug 10, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Levi Bell (98) tackles Minnesota Vikings running back DeWayne McBride (37) during the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings could then have a RB3 who has a history of elite production at the collegiate level behind Jones and Chandler. On Sunday, McBridge likely doesn’t need to carry too much of the load, but he could help with short yardage carries and get involved more if/when there’s an injury.
Of course, all of that potential is precisely that: potential. Much remains ahead of the sophomore as training camp gets underway and he has much to prove. The forgotten Vikings RB, though, has a shot to earn a role in 2024.
Editor’s Note: Information from Sports Reference CFB helped with this piece.
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.
Source link : https://purpleptsd.com/2024/vikings/vikings-analysis/forgotten-vikings-rb/
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Publish date : 2024-07-30 08:00:00
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