NFL: How will each running back in the NFC North fare in 2020?

NFL, NFC North, Lions, Packers, Bears, Vikings
NFL Analysis Network
Dalvin Cook, Vikings
NFL Analysis Network

Minnesota Vikings

Dalvin Cook was finally healthy enough to produce big-time for Mike Zimmer’s squad last season. After finishing with career highs in carries (250), yards (1,135) and rushing TDs (13), the Florida State product wants to be compensated along the lines of Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey, who signed a four four-year, $64 million deal with the Panthers in April.

Regardless of how his contract situation works out, Cook has yet to play a full NFL season because of multiple injuries. With that in mind, Minnesota might turn to Alexander Mattison more often. Mattison, a Boise State product, gained 462 yards on 100 carries as a rookie in 2019.

Mike Boone, who appeared in all 16 games last season, led all Viking running backs with 5.6 yards per attempt, albeit on 49 carries. However, should Cook have another injury-marred season, Mattison and Boone might be a decent 1-2 punch.

Veteran Ameer Abdullah could spell any of Minnesota’s top three running backs. Like Boone, Abdullah appeared in every game in 2019 but got just 23 carries.

The Vikings return 80% of their offensive line from a year ago – Riley Reiff, Brian O’Neill, Pat Elflein and Dakota Dozier. But at the moment, Minnesota’s group running backs corps is more impressive than the linemen blocking for it.

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