The 2025 NFL Draft will begin on April 24, and to prepare for that, we need Vikings fans to be fully prepared in every way. Of course, we will cover players the Vikings will need, but it is important to go beyond that.
In the case of this running back report, we will cover the position here at Vikings Wire because the team needs some better talent at the position.
The Vikings have shown that their offense and what they hope to achieve rely upon the team's consistent ground attack. The trade for Cam Akers was a nice band-aid approach, but Akers and Ty Chandler aren't long-term answers. Aaron Jones also has been a breath of fresh air and has made a bigger impact than anyone could have hoped. Even if they bring him back, we need a backup option in place and someone who could step up and become the guy if called upon.
With that in mind, here is a running back prospect who could don a Vikings uniform next season.
Player Information
Michigan running back Donovan Edwards (7) runs against Ohio State during the first half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Player: Donovan Edwards
School: Michigan
Year: Fourth-Year Senior
DOB (Age when Drafted): February 25, 2003 (22)
Height (unofficial): 6-1
Weight (unofficial): 210 lbs.
Player Background
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Sonny Styles (6) and Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (20) tackle Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards (7) on a run during the second quarter of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
As a senior in high school, Edwards ran for 1,502 yards and 30 touchdowns Was named the Gatorade Michigan Player of the Year in 2020 Was named the Mr. Football for the state of Michigan in 2020 5-Star recruit according to 247 Sports Career Stats heading into Bowl Season
Michigan running back Donovan Edwards runs for a touchdown against Ohio State during the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022.
Touches: 422
Rushing Yards: 2,251
Rushing Touchdowns: 19
Receiving Yards: 508
Receiving Touchdowns: 4
Fumbles: 6
Notable PFF Numbers from the 2024 season
Michigan running back Donovan Edwards (7) runs against Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
Rushing Grade: 71.5
Yards Per Carry After Contact: 2.86
Rushing Attempts Over 10 Yards: 11
Yards After Catch Per Reception: 6.9
Yards Per Route Run: 0.56
Player Strengths
Receiving Ability
Donovan Edwards has a lot of problems but also has some tools for a team to utilize. The biggest tool he has is the ability to be a dynamic threat in the passing game. He has reliable hands, good vision in the open space, and a moveset to make people miss in space.
Quickness
Edwards demonstrates decent quickness both physically and mentally at the line of scrimmage. When he finds an open running lane he wastes no time burstuing through it and getting into the second level. If he makes it that far, he also is able to cut to the outside and finish off long runs.
Cutback Ability
While Edwards for sure has a vision issue when it comes to finding running lanes, but he doesn't struggle when it comes to his cutback ability at the line of scrimmage or space. He is able to use his footwork and instincts to bail him out of closing tacklers but it really shows when it comes to his receiving ability and work in space.
Trait Grades
Vision: 5.7
Cutback Ability: 6.3
Long Speed: 6.3
Contact Balance: 6
Pass Blocking: 5
Break/Avoid Tackles: 5.7
Durability: 6
Receiving Ability: 7
Quickness: 6.7
Ball Security: 6
Player Summary
Donovan Edwards is going to be an acquired taste when it comes to NFL teams and how they see him. He was my RB1 last Summer, and then the 2023 season was a disaster until a good playoff run. He followed that up with a down 2024 season, so the lack of consistency is concerning. I believe he can make some strides and earn some reps in the passing game, maybe even as a returner. He needs space to create as of now but struggles to run between the tackles. There is room for him as a part of a rotation on a team, but right now, it is hard to imagine much more than that. I also could see him going undrafted, barring a strong Senior Bowl week and scouting combine.
Player Grade: 6.03
Projected Role: Traits or talent to be an above-average backup