Latavius Murray has signed with the Vikings, ensuring that Adrian Peterson won't be back with Minnesota. It won't be the least surprising if Peterson now signs with the Raiders, as Oakland seems to have an opening on their depth chart. It will be interesting to see how Murray fares, moving from one of the league's better offensive lines to one of its worst.
The Raiders last year ranked 6th in rushing, averaging 120 yards per game and 4.4 yards per carry. Minnesota, meanwhile, averaged just 75 rushing yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry -- last in both areas.
Murray will now move to the top of Minnesota's depth chart, with Jerick McKinnon the noteworthy back still there. Matt Asiata is a free agent, whose market has been predictably quiet.
Yards per carry isn't everything, but Murray averaged a modest 4.0 last year. Two rookies on Oakland's roster -- DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard -- were up at 5.4 and 5.9, respectively. Running out of passing formations more often than Murray and so forth, but still.
In Minnesota, meanwhile, you had McKinnon (3.4), Asiata (3.3) and Peterson (1.9) all failing to make an impact.
Accordingly, Minnesota has looked to upgrade its line. It signed Riley Reiff away from the Lions and Mike Remmers from Carolina, and that should be the new tackle combo. They could also look to the draft.
Regardless, it's hard to get overly excited about Murray in Minnesota. Should Peterson sign with Oakland, he'll be in a seemingly more favorable situation.
--Andy Richardson