As offensive coordinator for the 13-3 Vikings last season, Shurmur started with the rookie Cook in the backfield. The second-round pick (41st overall) flew out of the gates, racking up 354 rushing yards to go along with 11 receptions for 90 yards in his first four games in the NFL. However, his season ended there due to a torn ACL. Latavius Murray, his primary backup, took over the bulk of the workload while Jerick McKinnon also contributed. The NFC North champions finished seventh in the league in rushing, averaging 122.3 yards per game.

"The position, in general, I think certainly I have a high opinion of what a running back brings to your offense," Shurmur said at the combine. "But I also have a very high opinion that that guy has to be able to run the ball, he has to be able to pass protect, and he has to be able to catch. That's one of the things that we've got to get better at is catching the football. I think that the running back is a huge weapon in the passing game. Whether you just look down the field and you check it down or you dedicate throws to the runner."

He added: "And as the play caller, you can't be worried about what plays you're calling because, oh, this guy can't catch. Or, oh, this guy can only run the ball. Because, you know, the defense knows all that, too. So you've got to have a guy, in my opinion, at running back that's a multi-dimensional guy. Really, I've got no use for any offensive skill player that can't catch, and the running back is no different."

Through 10 organized team activities (OTAs), that much has been made clear.