The Minnesota Vikings‘ biggest weakness right now is at running back. Aaron Jones is still a good player, but his injury history and the fact that he’s already gotten banged up a couple of times this year make it a rough position behind him. That’s especially true with Jordan Mason out on injured reserve with a broken thumb. 

The Vikings have continued to make moves to fortify the position by bringing players onto the practice squad, adding Jarrett Patterson and Jerome Ford in recent weeks. On Tuesday, Minnesota did so again, this time with running back Devin Neal.

Sources: The #Vikings are signing former #Saints RB Devin Neal to a contract.

Just 23 years old and a 5th-round pick last year, Neal totaled 310 yards and 2 TDs as a rookie. He joins a Minnesota team that has been seeking RB depth. pic.twitter.com/Ouup84YB0i

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 29, 2026

Neal was incredibly productive at Kansas

Neal was a multi-year starter at Kansas, and he was incredibly productive over the course of four seasons. He played in 49 games, totaling 4,343 yards and 49 touchdowns at a 5.7 yards-per-carry clip. He was also active in the passing game with 77 catches for 711 yards and four touchdowns.

Neal ended up being selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, but he was unable to stick around. He suffered an injury during the preseason, prompting the Saints to put him on injured reserve, and a subsequent injury settlement. He did play 10 games with three starts for the Saints, rushing 57 times for 206 yards and two touchdowns along with a whopping 17 catches for 104 yards.

Going into the 2025 NFL Draft, I wrote up a scouting report on Neal where I graded him out as a mid-to-late third-round player. I talked about how he felt like a slightly bigger version of Jones, and that fits incredibly well with what the Vikings have going on. Minnesota is trying to run a lot more wide zone concepts, and Neal fits that to a tee. When you look at his strengths and weaknesses, it highlights just that.

Strengths

• Fluid Mover: While Neal deosn’t have the best top-end speed, but he moves very well in space. There isn’t a wasted movement when he hits the hole or gets into open space.
• NFL Frame: He is built like an NFL back. Neal is well proportioned throughout his frame and carries his weight very well.
• Pass Catching: Neal has very soft hands. Kansas used him a lot out of the backfield with 79 receptions across his career. 
• Vision/Patience: Neal ran in a lot of different run concepts at Kansas and thrived across the board. He displayed great vision in seeing his blocks develop, along with staying patient in letting them develop.

Weaknesses

• Speed: Neal just doesn’t have the burst and speed to take advantage of defenses. He has the vision and decision-making to thrive, but could struggle to be a difference-maker at the next level.
• Pass Protection: Consistency is the biggest issue here. Neal flashes the ability to pass protect bit doesn’t show enough consistency with his technique.
• Elusiveness: Neal has good size and is a capable enough athlete, but struggles to make defenders miss in open space.

Now, he hasn’t necessarily been the healthiest player in the world. He was placed on injured reserve in December, and again before he received the injury settlement. That said, at 5-foot-11 and 213 pounds, Neal is a bigger back who theoretically can absorb contact in a better manner than a player like Jones.

Adding him to the roster is a nice addition, but will he be able to make an impact? We’ll see if he gets on the field, but I’m a big fan of this signing so far.