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Vikings Eye on Potential Running Back Jordan James for NFL Draft 2025

As April 24, 2025 rapidly approaches, the much-anticipated NFL Draft is in sight. For loyal fans of the Vikings, it’s essential to be adequately ready in all aspects for the draft. We’ll delve into which players the Vikings might require, but we understand that it’s crucial to look further. This analysis is specifically honed in on the running back landscape, a position that is a high priority for the Vikings, necessitating enhanced talent.

The team’s offensive strategy and its projected accomplishments heavily depend on a steady running game, something the team has made clear over time. The addition of Cam Akers served as a temporary, helpful solution, but it’s evident that neither Akers nor Ty Chandler can be relied upon for a permanent fixture. Aaron Jones, on the other hand, has been a terrific addition, surpassing all initial expectations.

However, even considering the possibility of Jones’ return, it’s important to have additional talent waiting in the wings. There should be someone who can readily step into the role and handle the mantle, if circumstances necessitate. Given this backdrop, let us introduce a prospective running back who could grace the Vikings’ roster in the upcoming season.

The player in focus is Jordan James. He hails from the University of Oregon and is a third-year Junior. He was born on March 29, 2004, which means he will turn 21 years old at the time of the draft. James stands at an unofficial height of around 5 feet 10 inches and weighs approximately 205 lbs.

He has been designated as a 4-star prospect by 247 Sports, and his impressive high school career in Tennessee established him as the Player of the Year. James didn’t disappoint in college either, securing a Second-Team All-Big Ten designation in 2024. His remarkable stats speak volumes about his sporting acumen and natural talent.

Until now, he has collected 428 touches, accumulated 2,215 rushing yards, and scored 31 rushing touchdowns. As a receiver, he has netted 347 yards and one touchdown. Importantly, he has not fumbled once, underscoring his focus on ball security. His rushing grade stands at an excellent 90.9.

The statistics further reveal that his average yards per carry after a hit is 3.18, with 39 of his rushing attempts crossing the 10-yard mark. He also averages 7.1 yards per catch after reception, and 0.9 yards per route run. A few standout aspects of James’s gameplay include excellent field vision, efficient running lane identification, and a commendable ability to pick up blitzers during pass-blocking.

Jordan James is competent at breaking through arm tackles and absorbing contact for extended sprints, attributing to a well-rounded skill set. His agility, footwork, and hip movement allow for efficient changes in direction. Although his build and playing style might hint otherwise, his speed is noteworthy and has the potential to take secondary defenders by surprise.

His strong ability to see the field scores a 7, while his talent for finding and exploiting cutback opportunities scores a 6. Similarly, his long speed and contact balance earn a score of 6 each, while his pass blocking ability stands at 6.3. His knack to break or avoid tackles and his robustness each notch up a 6, along with his quickness.

Nevertheless, his receiving ability and ball security are slightly lower at 5 and 5.3 respectively. Despite these impressive traits, James might not stand out in a crowded running back class. In other circumstances, his skills might push him ahead in the draft, but unfortunately, in this class, he appears to be lagging.

However, this could position him as a potential asset, if he finds himself in the right team environment. Despite the current ranking, his robust, aggressive style of play and deceptive ball carrier vision, coupled with speed, have a specific appeal. It’s unlikely that he’ll be selected before the third day of the draft, but he could fit well in a rotation early on in his career and gradually expand his role over time.

Based on a thorough analysis, we assign Jordan James a player grade of 5.93. His role for the future, as we foresee it, could very well be a capable backup or a special teams player. Vikings fans should keep an eye on James throughout the draft process to see how his NFL journey unfolds.