The running game was the Minnesota Vikings' offensive identity in 2015, and though the team is aiming for more balance in 2016, the Vikings' ground game should still be one of the league's pre-eminent running attacks. Adrian Peterson should get most of the work, but this year, there could be another solid fantasy option in the Vikings' backfield.
Adrian Peterson
ESPN fantasy projection: 1,424 yards, 10 TDs
Over or under: The projections have Peterson averaging 4.6 yards per carry, a tick up from last year's 4.5-yard average. That sounds about right, and the Vikings hope Peterson can benefit from defenses having a little more to worry about. Our fantasy team has Peterson getting 20 fewer carries than last year; game flow will dictate that somewhat, and Peterson could get some fourth-quarter attempts for a team that's hoping to salt away plenty of fourth-quarter leads. By that logic, I'll go slightly over on the yards, and stick with the projection on TDs.
ESPN fantasy projection: 398 yards, 2 TDs, 36 catches, 270 yards, 1 TD
Over or under: I think McKinnon will actually be more involved as a receiver than he will be as a runner; he's put on an extra 11 pounds to bulk up for between-the-tackles runs, but the Vikings have been lining McKinnon up wide in training camp practices. He might not get 88 carries -- I could see him being more in the neighborhood of 70 -- so I'll take the under on rushing yards. It wouldn't surprise me, though, if he winds up surpassing those projections as a receiver. Remember, he caught 12 passes in the Vikings' final four games last season (including the playoffs).
Who else could see time: Matt Asiata, who led the team in yards from scrimmage in 2014, will get some work as a third-down back, and could wind up with a decent number of touches in that role. He carried 29 times for 112 yards a year ago, and caught 19 passes for 132 yards.
