Very Quietly, A Vikings Runner is Pushing to Hang Onto 53-Man Roster Spot

Do the Vikings want game-changing speed at RB3? Or, perhaps, is there a desire for somebody who is more understated but still intriguing?

Vikings runner Zavier Scott doesn’t generate a ton of fanfare. In fact, it would be quite easy to forget that Scott locked down the team’s RB3 job last year. Every so often, Kevin O’Connell cooked up unique plays to lean on the runner’s background as a receiver. Does that desire for a well-built, versatile depth RB continue into what’s looking like a fascinating Vikings season in 2026?

Vikings Runner Zavier Scott:
Versatile, Works Hard, & Boasts a Nice Build

Zavier Scott didn’t set the world on fire in 2025. However, he did get involved, at least in a modest manner.

The depth skill guy was involved in sixteen games. Added together, Scott ran the ball 32 times for 114 yards and 0 touchdowns. Averaging 3.6 yards per carry isn’t great. He then turned 16 targets into 14 catches for 98 yards and 1 touchdown. Again, not sizzling, but a pretty high ratio of targets turning into catches even within the acknowledgement that averaging 7 yards per reception isn’t a terrific number.

Oddly enough, Scott didn’t earn a huge workload on specials. His 105 snaps on offense stood alongside 149 snaps on special teams. Seeing him prove more capable of chewing up special teams work would do much to help his chance of sticking around.

Check out what Lance Zierlein had to say on the now Vikings runner going into the 2023 NFL Draft: “Scott is a fun watch on tape thanks to his versatility and the passion he shows on the field. He’s a big athlete who plays fast and with good determination, but he will be much more intriguing for teams with creative play-callers who are looking for multi-dimensional prospects.”

Further from Zierlein: “While he’s not a pure running back, he does possess running back talent and the same can be said about him as a receiver, although he needs much more polish. His toughness with the ball in his hands and potential roster flexibility make him worthy of Day 3 consideration.”

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The draft arrived in 2023 arrived and nobody took the plunge. So, Scott got scooped up by the Colts. Going over to Indianapolis involved earning $45,000 in guaranteed money, per Over the Cap. For context, that was the same year that Minnesota onboarded Ivan Pace, doing so for $236,000 as guaranteed money in the linebacker’s deal.

What then followed was practice squad work for the Colts before going to the same assignment with the Vikings in 2024. There was then a full-time job on the Vikings’ roster for the 2025 season.

Part of what’s making life tough for Scott is the presence of Demond Claiborne. Neither of Aaron Jones nor Jordan Mason got shown the door. All that was done to adjust the RB room was to bring a 6th-Round speed demon to town. Claiborne isn’t perfect but he’s got wheels that can’t be taught. Quite possibly, the rookie runner is the Vikings’ fastest player.

At Vikings training camp, Zavier Scott had quiet moments of success.

In one special teams rep I saw, Scott clearly won the 1-v-1 competition. On another occasion, I saw him hanging behind at practice unusually long for extra work. And then there’s just the basic criteria that Zierlein highlights in his scouting report and then was evident in Minnesota’s ’25 season. Scott boasts good size and has soft mitts. Coaches will be intrigued, especially those with a penchant for tossing a curveball here and there.

Look for Zavier Scott later on today. Not only will the catches and runs count but so, too, will his abilities as a pass blocker. Keeping the QB’s jersey clean will do wonders for his chance to make the final roster.

Scott wears the #36 jersey. The 27-year-old depth runner stands at 6’1″ and weighs roughly 220 pounds.