With the uncertainty around Dalvin Cook’s future, the Minnesota Vikings were expected to be in the running back market during the 2023 NFL Draft.
With the 222nd overall pick in the draft, the Vikings selected UAB running back Dewayne McBride.
According to Pro Football Network’s Consensus Big Board, McBride was the RB12 in this year’s draft. He was ranked 139th overall, meaning the Vikings got solid value in the seventh round.
Here are five reasons why DeWayne McBride should excite Vikings fans.
Production
Few running backs in college football had the same production as DeWayne McBridge over the last two seasons.
Taking a bulk of the carries at UAB, McBride ran for 2,829 yards and 31 touchdowns over the last two seasons. McBride crossed the 200 carries mark this season and ran for 1,713 yards and 19 touchdowns.
After the season, McBride was the only Group of 5 players to be named a semifinalist for the Doak Walker and Maxwell Awards. He was also named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and was a Pro Football Focus Second Team All-American.
McBride has some heavy mileage on his tires, but he’s highly productive with the ball in his hands. Provided the Vikings can keep him fresh by limiting his overall carries, he can be a constant threat on the ground.
Physicality
Take one look at Dewayne McBride, and you can see why the Vikings fell in love with him.
McBride did not participate in the NFL Scouting Combine but measured at 5-feet-10 and 215 pounds at UAB’s Pro Day. While that size isn’t typically elite, he wears the weight particularly well.
DeWayne McBride can scoot, he also is really good at breaking tackles–175 times in his career to be precise 3rd in this class! pic.twitter.com/kVcpnLOUhz
— Jeremy (@PopesFFH) April 1, 2023
McBride looks like Mac Truck with tree stumps for tires (legs). His upper body is huge, creating a challenging tackle for any defenders in his way. When he gets one-on-one with defensive backs, in particular, McBride will go through them.
Contact Balance
DeWayne McBridge takes contact like it’s the boss level on a video game. He’s always trying to stay upright, and he’s often pretty upset if a defender tackles him upon first contact.
DeWayne McBride would've run for 1,400 yards in 1998 pic.twitter.com/AQI0JQQaR8
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) April 14, 2023
This level of contact balance provides McBride with the ability to constantly gain yards because he’s not going to outrun many teams in the process.
Given some of the Vikings’ struggles in holding their run blocks, McBride’s contact balance should give their running game a big boost.
Home run ability
DeWayne McBride isn’t an explosive athlete, so it might be surprising to hear that he’s a home run hitter on the football field.
Well, take any preconceived notions about what a home run hitter is and throw them out of the window because McBride can score touchdowns from anywhere.
This big-play ability comes from McBride’s ability to stay on his feet and keep his legs moving. While he likely won’t outrun defenders to the sideline, McBride can break multiple tackles on his way to the open field.
I love me some DeWayne McBride — he's one of the most creative backs in this class. I just want him to stop fumbling, please. pic.twitter.com/QaEtmdmwKg
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) April 24, 2023
If defenders are tired, McBride can thrive as a power running back because he’s so hard to bring down. He requires the utmost attention from defensive backs because they need to be aware of where he is on the field every snap.
Scheme fit
A wide zone scheme can utilize two different runners: a speedster who gets to the sideline or a powerful runner who’s decisive in his spots.
Guess which one of those McBride is.
Like Jeff Wilson, Jr., McBride fits the powerful and decisive running backs that have been successful in this kind of offense.
McBride will likely be limited to the first two downs in the NFL, but carving out a role within Minnesota’s offense won’t be challenging.
The Vikings desperately needed a different profile in their running back room, and McBride is exactly that. He should be an instant contributor for the Vikings, provided they utilize a committee approach to the snaps.
