The Vikings’ running back position went through plenty of change this past offseason—with mainstay Adrian Peterson leaving and the team acquiring two other backs with starting potential. Most of the talk, thus far, has been about free agent acquisition Latavius Murray’s surgically-repaired ankle and incoming draft pick Dalvin Cook. In all the hubbub, presumptive starting RB Jerick McKinnon has been a bit overlooked (which is easy to do since he is only 5 feet 9 inches tall).

But Jet, as he is known, has other plans for this season. McKinnon, who has taken the initial first-team reps throughout OTAs and has continued to do so at the start of training camp, is looking to this year as his opportunity to break out from AP’s shadow and make a name for himself.

“I think it’ll be done by committee, but there’s only one starter at the position,” McKinnon said of running back position. “That’s my main goal—to come in here and compete for that job. Like I said, it’s a good group, and I can’t wait to see where my game stacks up against theirs.”

McKinnon has his work cut out for him. Murray is a big powerful back (which McKinnon is smaller and quicker) and Cook, the Florida State product, was graded out as a first-round draft choice even though the Vikings snared him in the 2nd round—McKinnon did not come to the team with as much fanfare (he was a third-rounder out of Georgia Southern). But Jet is in his fourth season, and he still feels he hasn’t reached his peak abilities yet.

“Whatever [my role] is I am going to do it 100 percent,” McKinnon said. “For me, it’s year four, and I still feel unproven, so I have a lot to prove. It’s year four, and I feel like I have to reach where I want to be yet and I have a lot more to offer. That’s why I say I am unproven. The reality is to come out here and give my best every day and leave [that thought] in the back of the coach’s mind.”

Although Murray is still rehabbing his ankle, he has already been (tentatively) slotted in as the short yardage/goal line back. Meanwhile, Cook has already been given a bit of the (future) star treatment, being given certain designated days when he will speak to the media. So where does that leave McKinnon in his attempt to get noticed.

“I feel good,” McKinnon said of coming into camp with a greater knowledge of the offense than his competition. “I feel like I have a little bit of the upper hand, being the only guy back from last year. Dalvin has been here throughout OTA’s and the rookie training camps, so he’s caught up to speed, and Latavius is kind of still catching up a little bit, so I’m just going to use what I can, use my strengths to my advantage and go from there.”

Both Murray and Cook are decent pass catchers out of the backfield, which has been McKinnon’s strength the past three seasons. And Murray is a very good pass protector, something Cook will likely improve at. So what does McKinnon bring to the position?

“I would probably say my versatility,” he said. “I’ve always relied on my versatility and ability to do more than one thing. Those decisions will be made at the end of training camp with the coaches, but it’s my job to come in here and make sure that I keep a bug in their ear, that my name stays up there.”

McKinnon’s plan to grab that starting role hit a small obstacle on the second day of practice in Mankato, as he left the practice field on Thursday afternoon with an injury to his right knee and a pained expression on his face. On Friday morning, however, McKinnon returned to the field with a sleeve on his leg. He reported later that he was fine, after having participated in the morning walk thru.

Regardless, McKinnon’s goals cannot sustain any prolonged period of missed time in the preseason, as the two other running backs are already raring to fly by Jet. For my money, I am hopeful he doesn’t miss any time, as McKinnon does bring some versatility to this group of running backs and deserves the shot to show what he’s got.

And McKinnon appears to know what is at stake. When he was signing some autographs on veteran check-in day at MSU-Mankato, I took the opportunity to ask if his new situation on the team caused him to prepare any differently.

“Nope,” McKinnon responded with an almost steely glare, “it’s all business.”