4 Shrine Bowl Running Backs the Vikings Should Target
Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The East-West Shrine Bowl practices are upon us, and it’s becoming increasingly clearer by the day who the standout performers are. The 2025 NFL Draft is exceptionally rich with talent at running back, and that was on full display at the Lovelace & McNatt Families Practice Facility in Denton, Texas. With Aaron Jones and Cam Akers both set to be unrestricted free agents, running back is one of the Minnesota Vikings’ most pressing needs this offseason.
Given that the Vikings enter the 2025 Draft armed with just a first-round pick and two fifth-rounders, investing a Day 1 or 2 pick in a running back seems unlikely. However, there are also some intriguing names to monitor in the later rounds if Minnesota prioritizes selecting a cornerback, defensive tackle, or a guard with their first-rounder or any other early draft capital they come into.
Here are four Shrine Bowl running backs who caught my attention through the first three practices. These players might be boosting their draft stocks with impressive outings, but with the depth in this running back class, each could fall into the Vikings’ laps on Day 3. Let’s check those players out.
Ja’Quinden Jackson, Arkansas
Projected Round: 7th
2024 Stats: 10 Games, 790 Rushing Yards, 15 TD
2024 PFF Grade: 80.5 Overall; 85.5 Rushing
Ja’Quinden Jackson is a grown ass man pic.twitter.com/R55Ijn40kJ
— Sidelines – Arkansas (@SSN_Arkansas) August 15, 2024
Jackson is a former 4-star recruit at quarterback who earned high school All-America and First-Team All-State honors before switching to running back in college. In the backfield, Jackson displays great contact balance and at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, he’s difficult to tackle in space when he gets a full head of steam. As a multi-positional player, Jackson could have the potential to develop into a Taysom Hill sort of hybrid player in the right offense. However, despite his tools, Jackson is still incredibly raw as a running back, and his vision leaves a lot to be desired.
Player Comp: Michael Bush
Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, South Carolina
Projected Round: 5th
2024 Stats: 12 Games, 881 rushing yards, 13 TD (11 rushing)
2024 PFF Grades: 80.7 Overall; 85.9 Rushing
Shot out of a rocket 🚀@raheim_sanders | #ShrineBowl pic.twitter.com/Zv7mYTVdi8
— East-West Shrine Bowl (@ShrineBowl) January 26, 2025
“Rocket” Sanders is another former 4-star prospect, according to 247Sports and Rivals, and was the No. 8-ranked athlete in the country coming out of high school. His Pop Warner coach gave him the nickname Rocket after scoring a touchdown on an outside zone run. Despite the nickname, Sanders doesn’t have 4.3 speed, but he has great burst, especially for his thickly-built 6-foot-2, 230-pound frame. He is also a proven receiver out of the backfield, catching 27 passes for 316 yards last season. Rocket’s pass blocking needs improvement and he runs too upright, but he’d be a great fit in Minnesota.
Player Comp: Brian Robinson Jr.
Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
Projected Round: 6th
2024 Stats: 11 games, 1,505 yards, 18 TD (17 Rushing)
2024 PFF Grades: 82.7 Overall; 85.3 Rushing
Texas Tech RB Tahj Brooks with a nice run in team drills at the Shrine Bowl. pic.twitter.com/ntvtvp7pNc
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) January 25, 2025
Brooks is a former 3-star recruit who was one of the most productive high school running backs in the state of Texas. Brooks had three 1,000+ yard seasons, finishing his high school career with over 4,400 total rushing yards and 65 total touchdowns. He’s continued that production at Texas Tech. Brooks is a downhill runner who is reliable in both short-yardage situations and pass protection, earning a 60.5 PFF Pass Blocking Grade in 2024. However, Brooks’ burst and speed are both average at best, which limits his upside. Still, his production means he has a high floor as a prospect.
Player Comp: Alexander Mattison
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Arizona
Projected Round: 7th/UDFA
2023 Stats (New Mexico): 12 games, 1,190 yards, 18 TDs (17 rushing)
2023 PFF Grades (New Mexico): 92.7 Overall; 92.5 Rushing
The Vikings should consider drafting Shrine Bowl practice standout RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt on Day 3 of the draft if he's there. He'd be a great fit in KOC's offense. #Skol pic.twitter.com/0SW4tAagBq
— 𝙩𝙮𝙡𝙚𝙧 (@TylerTalksBall) January 25, 2025
Jacory Croskey-Merritt has been the most impressive running back at the Shrine Bowl thus far, according to NFL Draft analysts A.J. Schulte and Cody Carpenter. Croskey-Merritt was limited to just one game for Arizona in 2024 due to unexpected eligibility issues that prevented him from playing, which was a tough break for the senior. Still, he was labeled a “Swiss Army Knife” for New Mexico in 2023. Croksey-Merritt has the explosiveness to take it the distance, as evidenced by his experience as a kick returner, and he’s a willing blocker in pass protection. Still, though Croskey-Merritt has some upside as a pass-catching back, his receiving output was underwhelming at New Mexico.
Player Comp: Roc Thomas
Which of these players would be the best fit for Minnesota? It depends. If the Vikings are looking for a short-yardage back with some receiving utility, it’s hard to ignore “Rocket” Sanders. If he’s available for either of Minnesota’s two fifth-rounders, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should absolutely consider taking him. But if the Vikings opt to trade down and accumulate picks, then they should take a high-upside shot on Croskey-Merritt late on Day 3. Either way, this is a great year for Minnesota
If the Vikings are looking for a short-yardage running back who is also a proven receiver, it’s hard to ignore Raheem “Rocket” Sanders. As of right now, Sanders is projected to be selected in the fifth round of the draft, where the Vikings have two picks. If he’s available, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should absolutely consider taking him. However, if the Vikings trade down and accumulate picks then they should take a chance on Croskey-Merritt later in Day 3. Either way, this is a great year for Minnesota to take a moneyball approach at running back.
Up Next