With the NFL Scouting Combine in the rearview mirror, 2020 free agency is just around the corner. That period will officially begin at 3 p.m. (CT) on March 18 when the new league year begins.
Over the next two weeks, Lindsey Young, Craig Peters and I will dive into Minnesota's current roster status by position. We'll offer a refresher on which Vikings are scheduled to become free agents, where potential needs might be and note players from other teams that are set to become free agents.
Up next? The running backs …
UNDER CONTRACT:
Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, Mike Boone and Tony-Brooks James
Cook
2019 Stats: 14 games (14 starts); 250 carries for 1,135 yards (4.5 yards per carry), with 13 rushing touchdowns; 53 receptions for 519 yards
Cook had the breakout season many were expecting in 2019, as he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career. He was also the focal point of an offense that ranked third in the league in rushing percentage.
Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said at the combine that he expects another big year from Cook in 2020, and that he is "excited to see" where the versatile running back can take his career.
Mattison
2019 Stats: 10 games; 100 carries for 462 yards (4.6 yards per carry), with one rushing touchdown; 10 receptions for 82 yards
Mattison played well as a rookie, stepping in to give Cook a breather when necessary. He could take on a bigger role in his second season in the league to help give the Vikings one of the top backfield duos in the league.
Boone
2019 Stats: 16 games (two starts); 49 carries for 273 yards (5.6 yards per carry), with three rushing touchdowns; three receptions for 17 yards
Boone provided solid depth behind Cook and Mattison, as evident by his 148-yard rushing performance in the regular-season finale when the aforementioned duo did not play. He is also a key special teams player.
Brooks-James
2019 Stats: 3 games with Pittsburgh; 8 carries for 7 yards (0.9 yards per carry)
Brooks-James appeared in three games with the Steelers in 2019 before signing a Reserve/Future contract with the Vikings in January.
SCHEDULED TO BECOME A FREE AGENT:
C.J. Ham (restricted)
Ham enjoyed a Pro Bowl season in 2019 as he helped lead the way for the NFL's sixth-ranked rushing attack. He fit in well in Minnesota's new offensive scheme and could fill the same role in 2020 if he returns. Ham is a restricted free agent, which means the Vikings could re-sign him and/or place a tender on him in order to receive compensation if he leaves.
View the top photos of Vikings FB C.J. Ham from the 2019 season.
An image from October 20, 2019 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 42-30.
An image from October 13, 2019 regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Vikings won 38-20.
An image from September 22, 2019 regular season home game against the Oakland Raiders. The Vikings won 34-14.
An image from the January 5, 2020 wild card playoff game against the New Orleans Saints. The Vikings won 26-20 in overtime.
An image from December 15, 2019 regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Vikings won 39-10.
An image from December 29, 2019 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 19-21.
An image from December 15, 2019 regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Vikings won 39-10.
An image from December 8, 2019 regular season home game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 37-30.
An image from December 8, 2019 regular season home game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 37-30.
An image from December 2, 2019 regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks. The Vikings loss 37-30.
An image from October 20, 2019 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 42-30.
An image from November 17, 2019 regular season home game against the Denver Broncos. The Vikings won 27-23.
An image from November 10, 2019 regular season away game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Vikings won 28-24.
An image from November 3, 2019 regular season away game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Vikings loss 23-26.
An image from November 3, 2019 regular season away game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Vikings loss 23-26.
An image from October 20, 2019 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 42-30.
An image from October 20, 2019 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 42-30.
An image from October 6, 2019 regular season away game against the New York Giants. The Vikings won 28-10.
An image from October 20, 2019 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 42-30.
Ameer Abdullah
Abdullah led the Vikings with 13 kickoff returns for 325 yards (25.0 average) in 2019, and also chipped in on offense and the special teams coverage units.
POTENTIAL NEED:
If Ham, a Minnesota native, does not return, the Vikings will need to explore bringing in a new fullback for a position that was important in the Vikings 2019 offense.
Much like 2019, Cook and Mattison will likely receive the bulk of the rushing attempts in 2020, and for good reason. Cook is one of the league's top backs, while Mattison was a solid contributor as a third-round rookie. Cook will be the one to watch, however, especially with Vikings Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak calling plays in 2020.
With Boone also set to return, will the Vikings also bring back Abdullah. If he's not back, then the kickoff return job also will open.
View photos from workouts at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday in Indianapolis that included running backs and offensive line.
Illinois State running back James Robinson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Boston College running back A J Dillon runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Florida State running back Cam Akers runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arizona running back J J Taylor runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Arizona running back J J Taylor runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia running back D'Andre Swift runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Georgia running back Brian Herrien waits to run the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia running back D'Andre Swift runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Memphis running back Patrick Taylor runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Memphis running back Patrick Taylor runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Carolina running back Rico Dowdle waits to run the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Vanderbilt running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Utah running back Zack Moss runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Utah running back Zack Moss runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Maryland running back Anthony McFarland runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Florida running back La'Mical Perine runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Cincinnati running back Mike Warren runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA running back Joshua Kelley runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Carolina State offensive lineman Alex Taylor runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Boise State offensive lineman John Molchon runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Maryland running back Anthony McFarland runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ball State offensive lineman Danny Pinter runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Charlotte running back Benny Lemay runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Maryland running back Anthony McFarland runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Alabama offensive lineman Jedrick Wills runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Texas Tech offensive lineman Terence Steele runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Kentucky offensive lineman Logan Stenberg runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Clemson offensive lineman John Simpson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Oregon offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
WHO'S POTENTIALLY OUT THERE:
NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling teamed up again this year to rate their top 101 potential free agents.
The following running backs are listed in order of their overall rankings: 13. Derrick Henry, 34. Melvin Gordon, 46. Kenyan Drake, 73. Carlos Hyde.
Other running backs set to become free agents that didn't crack the top 101 are as follows (listed in order of 2019 team): Brian Hill* and Kenjon Barner (ATL), Gus Edwards* (BAL), Frank Gore (BUF), Kareem Hunt and Dontrell Hilliard* (CLE), Devontae Booker (DEN), J.D. McKissic (DET), Tyler Ervin (GB), Lamar Miller (HOU), Johnathan Williams (IND), Spencer Ware and LeSean McCoy (KC), Austin Ekeler* (LAC), Bilal Powell and Ty Montgomery (NYJ), Isaiah Crowell and DeAndre Washington (OAK), Darren Sproles [retired], Jordan Howard and Corey Clement* (PHI), Matt Brieda* and Jeff Wilson, Jr. ** (SF), Marshawn Lynch, C.J. Prosise and Robert Turbin (SEA), Peyton Barber (TB), Chris Thompson and Wendell Smallwood (WAS).
Other fullbacks set to become free agents that didn't crack the top 101 are as follows (listed in order of 2019 team): Keith Smith (ATL), Danny Vitale (GB), Anthony Sherman (KC) and Derek Watt (LAC).
* Restricted free agent
** Exclusive rights free agent
While the Vikings aren't expected to be major players in the free-agent pool of running backs, there are some intriguing names and situations here for two teams that made the NFC Playoffs (Philadelphia and Seattle).
Gore ranks third all-time with 15,347 rushing yards, and Ekeler was one of the NFL's top pass-catching backs in 2019 with 92 receptions for 993 yards and eight scores.
