Minnesota Vikings add intriguing running back ahead of preseason finale who could be solid depth

Vikings sign RB Xazavian Valladay

Valladay comes to the Vikings after having spent time with the Houston Texans, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New Orleans Saints. He spent five years in college at both Wyoming and Arizona State, and he gained a whopping 4,473 yards and 35 touchdowns on the ground, while also catching 88 passes for 873 yards and four touchdowns. In the 2023 NFL Draft, Valladay went undrafted and chose to sign with the Texans.

His scouting report from NFL.com highlights an intriguing, yet undersized player.

Valladay runs a little bigger than his measured size, thanks to his decisive mindset and his acceleration into contact. He will get what is blocked and keep the play on the designed track, but he doesn’t have the change of direction or instincts to create for himself when it’s not blocked up. Valladay is competitive and productive, but he fails to stand out in any single area.

That sounds like a good depth piece overall, but not to expect him to be anything more than that. Could Valladay end up making the team? Of course, nothing is impossible, but this is a strategy that the Vikings have used before.

Last offseason, the Vikings signed running back Mohamed Ibrahim right before the final preseason game. The main reason why? They need players to eat snaps in the final game with the majority of players who will make the team not participating in the game.

Valladay will get a chance to make an impression on the Vikings to potentially earn a practice squad spot, as he will likely get multiple opportunities to run the ball.