Believe it or not, Gainwell tabulated 1,023 yards from scrimmage in 2025, along with 8 touchdowns. The guy was a miniature machine.
He also torched the Vikings in Dublin — in a game when purple fans thought “they got away with one” after learning of Jaylen Warren’s injury. Instead, Gainwell played even more efficiently than Warren.
Warren would be a smart fit for the Vikings if a) the team releases Jones b) it views Mason as an RB1. His next contract should fetch about $5 million per season.
4. Javonte Williams
Williams totally revitalized his career in Dallas this season.
Many chalked him up as mid due to never popping off as the Denver Broncos’ RB1 despite fancy 2nd-Round draft stock in 2021. As it turns out, the Broncos just didn’t feature him enough.
Williams logged 1,338 yards from scrimmage in 2025, complete with 13 touchdowns. He helped fantasy managers win championships across the country. The veteran tailback turns 26 on draft weekend and will probably command about $10 milion per year in free agency.
3. Kenneth Walker
This guy has earned millions in the last few weeks.
Walker turned on the jets during the Seahawks’ sprint to Super Bowl LX, and truth be told, might even be more valuable than Sam Darnold on offense, mainly because Walker is playing like a Top 3 NFL tailback during the playoffs.
There are only two knocks on Walker: he’s not the most durable runner ever, and he experiences vanishing acts.
Perhaps his next team will feed him the rock at the same level as Seattle in the 2025 postseason.
2. Travis Etienne
Etienne just turned 27, meaning he has about two years left of his physical prime. He played so well in 2025 that Jacksonville may not let him leave. In the event that Jaguars hand the baton to Bhayshul Tuten, though, Etienne will need a new home.
He totaled 1,399 yards from scrimmage in 2025, with 13 scores. He’s basically AFC Javonte Williams.
New Vikings offensive line coach Keith Carter’s connection to Hall predates his arrival in Minnesota. Before joining the Vikings in 2025, Carter operated as the Jets’ run game coordinator, putting him directly alongside Hall during the most productive stretch of the running back’s young career. From a coaching perspective, there aren’t many closer reference points than that.
Carter’s resume hasn’t been without friction. Former Titans players took aim at his methods on social media years ago, yet the Vikings still brought him in as an assistant offensive line coach last offseason. When Kevin O’Connell chose not to retain Chris Kuper ahead of the 2026 offseason, Carter’s internal standing became clearer. The promotion followed soon after, and Carter officially took over Minnesota’s offensive line room last week.
The timing matters for free agency, at least in theory. Carter oversaw the Jets’ rushing operation from 2022 through 2023, with Hall serving as the centerpiece. Now, as 2026 free agency approaches, Hall is set to hit the market with expectations in the $10–12 million range.
Minnesota wouldn’t be pitching Hall on a whim. Carter knows how Hall is wired, how he runs, and how to structure a rushing offense around his strengths. Provided any lingering frustration from Carter’s demanding style hasn’t closed the door, the Vikings present a wise second chapter for Hall.
