The Minnesota Vikings are entering unfamiliar territory in 2023. 

During this offseason, the team underwent a massive facelift. Notable veterans Patrick Peterson, Eric Kendricks, Dalvin Cook and more departed the Twin Cities. 

With Cook leaving, some might worry about the Vikings' running back spot. However, I believe the team is in good shape with the currently rostered backs. 

Alexander Mattison seems set to take the bulk of the carries in 2023. Mattison is entering his fifth NFL season, re-signing with the Vikings this offseason. 

Mattison has spent his entire career in Cook's shadow, but has gotten plenty of playing time due to Cook's injury history. However, the most carries Mattison has receieved in a season is 134. For reference, Cook had 245+ carries in each season from 2019-2022. 

This means that Mattison will need someone to spell him. Who will that be? Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, and rookie DeWayne McBride are the contenders. 

Ty Chandler was drafted in the fifth round in 2022 and has been kind of forgotten about in this backfield. Chandler collected 1,092 rush yards for 13 touchdowns as a senior at North Carolina in 2021. The back averaged a whopping 6.0 yards per attempt for the Tar Heels. 

Chandler also showcased some receiving ability, coming down with 73 catches for 681 yards in his four-year college career. As a rookie in Minnesota, Chandler was used sparingly, rushing just six times for 20 yards. 

Nwangwu was drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and has been used mostly on special teams to this point. Nwangwu returned 35 kicks for 920 yards including a 97-yard touchdown. Nwangwu earned Second-team All-Pro honors in 2022 for his efforts. 

Finally, we have the rookie DeWayne McBride. McBride was extremely productive at UAB and offers an intriguing blend of size and speed. McBride had a whopping 1,713 rushing yards in 2022 and finished second in the nation in rushing TDs. 

McBride was used a ton at UAB, so he's comfortable with a heavy workload. Expect the rookie to get some run this preseason to show what he's capable of. 

If McBride has a strong preseason, Chandler could find himself on the outside looking in. Nwangwu is safe as he is one of the game's elite returners, and fullback CJ Ham will likely be around as a fullback. No matter who wins the primary backup job, the Vikings seem to be in good hands with a quality starter in Mattison.

Featured image via © Jeffrey Becker | 2023 Jan 15