The Minnesota Vikings have clearly improved under second-year head coach Mike Zimmer, and they won the NFC North division title for the first time since 2009 with an 11-5 record this past season. The Vikings have major decisions to make regarding player personnel this offseason and will look to bolster their roster with strong selections in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson led the league in rushing this past season with 1,485 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. The Vikings have stated that their offensive line is a priority this offseason, and while the running blocking opened holes for Peterson, they struggled to create a pocket for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
The Vikings have plenty of needs in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft, and positions like offensive line, wide receiver, and safety could be potential target positions they look to acquire in the draft, according to NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein. One player that could potentially fit in their offense is Alabama running back Derrick Henry, according to former scout Bucky Brooks.
The Vikings clearly have other needs than running back this offseason, but it's not unreasonable to think that the Heisman Trophy winner could find success in Minnesota. Henry was a workhouse for the Crimson Tide this past season, carrying the ball 395 times for 2,219 yards and scoring 28 touchdowns. The talented Alabama running back has been projected to land anywhere from the first to third round in the 2016 NFL Draft, according to Walter Football.
It seems unlikely that the Vikings would use a first round pick on a running back, but if Henry is still on the board by the time the Vikings select in the second round with the 54th pick, it doesn't seem out of the question for them to take the Alabama running back. Bleacher Report's draft analyst Matt Miller projects Henry to be selected by the Cowboys early in the second round, which seems very possible given Dallas' need for a running back.
The Vikings have plenty of needs this offseason, and while running back may not be the top priority, a backfield featuring Peterson and Henry could take a toll on opposing defenses. Recent Alabama running backs like Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy have raised questions about talented running backs coming out of the program, but that likely won't impact Henry's draft position, as he is a known downhill runner that could eventually turn into a three-down starter in the league.
