« Prev 9 of 9

Embed from Getty Images

7 Ito Smith RB Southern Miss

Jerick McKinnon has left town for San Francisco, signing a well-deserved deal with the 49ers. With his departure, Minnesota will be looking for a versatile back that can provide depth and the ability to catch out of the backfield.

Ito Smith would be high on the list of potential replacements if we were going to profile candidates.

He was an excellent receiving option as a running back during his time at Southern Miss as he racked up 866 receiving yards over the last two seasons. His hands are soft and he generally matches up well against linebackers, creating separation consistently.

As a runner, Smith is a decisive cutter, generating speed off sudden movements. He has strong legs and a unique ability to run low and dip around larger defenders.