Underneath the chatter of the Minnesota Vikings‘ search for a new franchise quarterback in next month’s draft is a diligent amount of homework done on this year’s running back class, including Florida State’s Trey Benson.
KSTP’s Darren Wolfson reported on March 21 that the Vikings are doing “as much due diligence” on Benson and several other running backs after they moved on from Alexander Mattison last month.
“I’ll give you one thing that I’ve heard a lot the last couple weeks. Draft-wise, away from the quarterback position, is all the work the Vikings have been doing on running backs like the Florida State running back,” Wolfson said on SKOR North’s “Mackey and Judd” podcast.
“I don’t know if he’s the consensus [RB1] but there’s enough people with big opinions who say that Florida State back is the best running back in this draft. Well, the Vikings are doing as much due diligence on him as just about anyone; there’s some other running backs you can point to as well,” Wolfson added.
The Vikings signed Aaron Jones to a one-year, $7 million deal in the offseason and Ty Chandler still has two more years left on his rookie deal. That doesn’t mean the Vikings aren’t searching for a true difference-maker after two troubling years in the run game hindered their ability to sustain drives and protect a lead.
Trey Benson is known for being a powerful runner with explosive speed
GettyFlorida State Seminoles running back Trey Benson.
Benson made a splash at the NFL scouting combine, tallying a 9.78 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) that ranks 40th out of 1,745 running back since 1987.
At 6-foot, 216 pounds, Benson ran a 4.39 4o-yard dash that catapulted his draft stock with an athletic profile fitting of Breece Hall and Jonathan Taylor.
His combination of size and speed helped him post a 91.3 Pro Football Focus (PFF) rushing grade and a 0.51 missed tackles forced per attempt in 2022 — the highest average PFF had recorded in the past decade. Benson’s ability to shed arm tackles and breakaway in the second level helped him become one of the most productive backs this season.
In 26 career games at Florida State, Benson took 310 carries for 1,896 yards (6.1 yards per attempt) and 23 touchdowns. He also secured 33 receptions for 371 yards receiving and a touchdown.
Benson, the consensus No. 1 running back according to NFL Mock Draft Database, is projected to be a Day 2 pick in the draft, which gives the Vikings some leeway to possibly trade up for him despite holding no second- or third-round picks.
Vikings Offseason Moves on Kirk Cousins, Mattison Signal Scheme Shift
GettyRunning back Alexander Mattison #25 and quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings are prone to taking a step back at quarterback this season with the departure of Kirk Cousins — but the decision on Dalton Risner may be a more telling indication of a shift in the offensive philosophy.
Risner, who is a coveted pass-blocker but leaves much to be desired in the running game, has not re-signed with the Vikings and remains a free agent. Wolfson said there is “no steam” on Risner’s return.
Meanwhile, the Vikings re-signed Blake Brandel to a contract worth $9.5 million over three years with $5 million guaranteed, according to the Star Tribune. It's a significant investment for a backup player who is likely the top contender if there is a competition at guard.
Brandel is better at run-blocking instead of Risner — and there may be more competition from the draft.
Improving the running game, which began with letting go of Mattison, will be crucial in reducing the offensive burden on the 2024 starting quarterback.
