Each week we will be looking at different free agents that the Minnesota Vikings have on the roster. We will look at their strengths, weakness, and how valuable they are to the team. This week will be focusing on:
RB Matt Asiata:
In 2014 Matt Asiata was hard to miss; he scored 10 touchdowns and had 570 total rushing yards. But with the return of Adrian Peterson and the emergence of Jerick McKinnon, Asiata has been pushed to a third down back. While he was not the huge playmaker this year he still made a difference in smaller and quieter ways. He played 16 games, had 29 carries, 112 rushing yards, 3.9 yards per carry, 19 catches, and 132 receiving yards.
But the thing about Asiata, he is a jack of all trades. He can be a third-down back (we know his skill as a RB. On top of the 10 TDs in 2014 he rushed for three TDs on three different occasions, vs. Philadelphia (12/15/13), vs. Atlanta (9/28/14) and vs. Washington (11/2/14)- second most by a Viking in a career), and a special teams contributor (He is a valuable blocker for the kick return unit. He helped with the two return for touchdowns that Cordarrelle Patterson had this year) and a goal line option.
Asiata is a reliable team player who can fit in almost any position you put him in. He isn’t going to take a lot of the team’s money, but the money they do pay him will be valuable in the long run. He may have to fight to hold his RB position in training camp but he holds value elsewhere.
VERDICT: RE-SIGN
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