Inside The Vikings

Report: Vikings Signing Ex-Dolphins Running Back Myles Gaskin

Gaskin spent four years in Miami before being released this week.

Will Ragatz

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The Vikings are signing former Dolphins running back Myles Gaskin to their active roster, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

This is a solid pickup for a Minnesota team that was in need of some additional depth at running back. Gaskin, a seventh-round pick out of Washington in 2019, spent four years in Miami before being released this week. He's a 5'10", 194-pound back who had nearly 1,800 yards from scrimmage and 12 total touchdowns in 2020 and '21 combined.

The Vikings brought in veteran RBs Kareem Hunt and Mike Davis for visits during training camp as they pondered adding to a room led by Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler. They waited patiently, cut three young running backs this week, and then pounced when the Dolphins released Gaskin. His familiarity with defensive coordinator Brian Flores may have played a role in him landing in Minnesota.

Gaskin was a massively productive college player, racking up over 1,300 yards from scrimmage in all four of his seasons as Washington with 62 total touchdowns. Still, his size and lack of elite athletic traits led him to go in the seventh round of the 2019 draft. Gaskin didn't play a ton as a rookie, but emerged in 2020 with 972 total yards and five touchdowns in just ten games (seven starts). 388 of those yards came through the air.

In 2021, Gaskin played in all 17 games, starting ten, with another 846 yards and seven touchdowns, four of them as a receiver. He only played in four games last season. Gaskin is a solid all-around back who makes up for a career rushing average of just 3.8 yards per carry with standout skills as a receiver and pass protector. He has a career 101-701-6 receiving line and can make things happen with the ball in his hands.

Coming out of college in 2019, Gaskin ran a 4.58 40 but posted 24 bench reps and solid scores in the 10-yard split and vertical jump.

In Minnesota, Gaskin joins Mattison and Chandler as factors in Kevin O'Connell's backfield. The team released Dalvin Cook this offseason and recently cut seventh-round rookie DeWayne McBride, who may end up on the practice squad. Kick returner Kene Nwangwu, who had a chance to become a factor at RB, has been injured for several weeks and might be headed to IR.

It's a one-year deal for Gaskin, who has a chance to carve out a real role on passing downs in Minnesota's offense.

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Will Ragatz
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