Well, it's safe to say the Vikings have no worries about their starter at this position coming into the 2014 season. However, they will have to look at their depth chart this offseason to determine if they can afford to completely ignore this position for the rest of the offseason.
Ladies and gentlemen, the running backs on the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings have potentially the running back G.O.A.T. in the form of Adrian Peterson, who did not come close to breaking the goals he set for himself last season (2,500 yards), but still put together the sixth Pro Bowl year of his career.
Peterson has been held back by a mediocre passing game in the past couple of years, with teams stacking the box to defend the run. New offensive coordinator Norv Turner should great benefit Peterson in 2014 though, as his vertical passing game is often used in conjunction with a power running game, which suits Peterson's style perfectly. Norv has worked with great running backs like Emmitt Smith and Ladania Tomlinson is his career, and it's highly likely he works his magic with AP as well.
After Peterson though, there is plenty of uncertainty at this position on the Vikings depth chart. With backup Toby Gerhart set to hit free agency, a couple of younger backs could be asked to step up, or maybe Turner will look to draft a running back that fits his system.
On the Roster: Adrian Peterson, Matt Asiata, Joe Banyard, Jerome Felton, Zach Line
Peterson has had an absolutely fantastic career, but at age 28 (will be 29 when the 2014 season starts) he likely has only a few good years left before he starts to hit the proverbial "running back wall." Peterson's violent style has left him banged up the past couple of years, and it will be interesting to see if Turner starts to dial back on his touches in order to potentially prolong his career.
Asiata was the Vikings third-string halfback last season, but due to injuries he ended up starting two games. Asiata's small sample size makes it hard to judge his true value as a player, as in his first start he averaged a measly 1.7 yards per carry, but in start two he averaged a whopping 8.2. His true value is probably around his career average of 3.7, meaning Asiata is a solid between the tackles runner who lacks the breakaway speed to make very many big plays in the run game. If Asiata can perform like he did last year he could be a solid backup, but it will be up to Turner to decide if Asiata is a true fit for his system.
Banyard was on the Vikings practice squad for most of last year, but when Peterson and Gerhart both were injured Banyard got called up to backup Asiata. Banyard did not see a lot of action though, just catching one pass against Cincinnati for 11 yards. Banyard flashed good speed and quickness in the preseason, but with almost no NFL experience he will have to prove to the new coaching staff that he's worth keeping around.
Jerome Felton was a big contributor to Peterson's 2,000 yard season during the 2012 season, and he was rewarded with a nice contract extension with the Vikings. Used primarily as a lead blocking fullback in his first two seasons with the Vikings, it will be interesting to see if Felton's role changes at all in Turner's system. Felton will certainly provide value as a power run blocker, but he may receive more targets out of the backfield as Felton has been a solid checkdown option in the passing game, and Turner's backs frequently are involved in the passing game.
Zach Line was an undrafted free agent who made the Vikings squad at the beginning of last year as a replacement for Felton, who was suspended the first three weeks. Line looked like he was improving and was a decent blocker out of the backfield, but an injury ended his season right after Felton returned. Line showed some versatility in the preseason, taking a short reception for a long touchdown, but he will have to make great strides to make the roster this year as it's unlikely the Vikings keep two fullbacks on the team.
Free Agents: Toby Gerhart
Gerhart has been a great soldier for the Vikings in his four seasons with the team, but now it seems all but inevitable he will head for greener pastures. Gerhart has been a great second option for the Vikings, but when you're behind Peterson on the depth chart there's just few carries left over for you. Gerhart will likely look for a team that will at least guarantee him about 10-15 carries a game in a backfield timeshare, and it's likely that team will be extremely happy with the signing.
What should Rick do? (WSRD?):
This is one position where it's hard to tell what the Vikings should do because some of the options on their roster are unknown quantities. While what we've seen from Asiata makes me confident he could be a solid backup, there's no telling what the coaching staff is seeing in practice. It's also possible Turner just wants a specific type of running back and the Vikings choose to draft a new backup or potentially Peterson's heir apparent in the mid to late rounds. A player like Jeremy Hill of LSU would certainly fit the profile of a Turner back and learning from one of the best to every play the position could only help his development.
In the end, many of the decisions when it comes to this position will come down to Turner and new running backs coach Kirby Wilson, who just coached Leveon Bell to a fantastic rookie season in Pittsburgh. Whether they address this position or not, I think those gentlemen have earned the benefit of the doubt either way.
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