Adrian Peterson

Minnesota Vikings RB Jerrick McKinnon would draft himself in fantasy football

Published Jun. 30, 2015 2:12 p.m. ET

foxsports

Will you spend a late-round draft pick on Minnesota Vikings running back Jerrick McKinnon in fantasy this year?

"If I had a fantasy team and could take myself, I would," McKinnon said, per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.

McKinnon, 23, is entering his second NFL season. He was a third-round pick out of Georgia Southern in the 2014 NFL Draft and ended up starting six games, finishing his first year in the league with 113 carries for 538 yards (4.8 yards/carry).

The biggest difference between this season and last season, however, is the return of Adrian Peterson. With the franchise's featured back in the fold again, McKinnon faces an uphill climb to replicate his rookie production.

Peterson's presence in the offensive backfield may create a hopeless competition for McKinnon, but the firmly entrenched starter can still have a positive impact on his young backup.

"I can learn from him about being a professional and coming out here and work hard and giving everything you got,'' McKinnon told the Pioneer-Press. "I'm comfortable with whatever role the coaches place on me. I don't really know what's going to happen, but I'm not worried about it. ... Whatever snaps I do get, I'm going to make the most of it."

After missing the last five games of the 2014 season with a back injury that required surgery, McKinnon claims to be at least "200 percent" healthy, per the Pioneer Press.

(h/t TwinCities.com)

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt

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