Albert

Young

We assume this means Young has played his final NFL down. An undrafted free agent out of Iowa in 2008, Young appeared in 10 games for the Vikings between 2009-10, carrying the ball 25 times for 82 yards. He made it to final cuts with the Jaguars last year, but drew no interest following the start of the regular season.

Ian Johnson was cut Saturday, leaving Young as the man if anything happens to Adrian Peterson or Chester Taylor. Keep in mind the No. 3 back last year, Maurice Hicks, didn’t get a single carry.

Only an injury to Adrian Peterson or Chester Taylor will make this battle matter. Even then, it’s unlikely Young or Johnson would be a fantasy factor. Maurice Hicks was Vikings’ No. 3 back last year and didn’t get a single carry.

“Albert Young has been a guy that’s developed here tremendously the last two years,” said Childress. “Brett Favre and I had a long conversation about him. He believes he’s got the chance to be a good back in this league.” Actions speak louder than words, though. The Vikes wouldn’t be recruiting a broken down Tomlinson if they truly believed Young was the answer.

It wasn’t exactly a ringing endorsement for Young, who went undrafted out of Iowa in 2008. Although the Vikings lost out on LaDainian Tomlinson and don’t want Brian Westbrook, Young will face competition for the gig. The Vikings could end up turning to the draft for Adrian Peterson’s backup.

“He is certainly a guy that is on our board and on our list, as are others,” said Childress. “There is no interest as of right this second, but do I respect his abilities, absolutely.” If the Vikes don’t address their backup situation in the draft, Westbrook could be a fallback option in May or June.

Childress continued to praise last year’s No. 3 back, Albert Young, while essentially saying that Westbrook doesn’t have anything left. Childress was Westbrook’s offensive coordinator in Philadelphia, but the concussions and various leg problems are scaring teams off.

Reynaud was a running back in high school and saw limited action there at West Virginia, but he’s not a realistic solution as Adrian Peterson’s backup. Albert Young is currently second on the depth chart, ahead of practice squadder James Johnson. The Vikes may also revisit Brian Westbrook or another veteran if they fail to draft a back.

Reynaud, at 5'9/201, will battle Albert Young, Ian Johnson, and whomever the Vikings draft in April to replace Chester Taylor as a third-down back. Reynaud is a physical player with plenty of pass-catching experience, so we wouldn’t rule out the switch being successful. Reynaud is also a core special teamer. He’ll probably be on the final roster regardless of his position.

He even has a new running back number, 27. Reynaud gives the Vikings some options as a third-down back, but he won’t be a true backup to Adrian Peterson. That role still belongs to Albert Young and possibly a running back the Vikings draft.