The road to the NFL isn’t always linear, and for Nick Singleton, the 2026 draft process hit an unfortunate speed bump in Mobile. During Senior Bowl practices, Singleton suffered a broken foot—specifically a fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his right foot—that will require surgery and sideline him from on-field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine.
It’s a setback, no doubt. But it shouldn’t erase what Singleton put on tape over four productive seasons at Penn State Nittany Lions, nor should it remove him from consideration for teams looking to add upside at running back late in the draft.
A Proven Producer with NFL Traits
Singleton leaves Penn State with eye-catching career production: 3,461 rushing yards, 987 receiving yards, and 54 total touchdowns from 2022–2025. A former five-star recruit, he made an immediate impact as a true freshman—earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors—and remained one of the program’s most explosive offensive weapons throughout his career.
His most complete season came in 2024, when he expanded his role in the passing game and posted a career-high 41 receptions. Even in 2025, amid a dip in overall offensive efficiency and continued backfield rotation, Singleton still reached double-digit touchdowns, reinforcing his value as a scoring threat.
Context matters here: Singleton never led Penn State in carries in any of his four seasons. A timeshare, coaching changes, and instability around him limited raw volume—but not effectiveness.
Strengths That Translate
On film, Singleton’s calling card is burst. He accelerates quickly, hits holes decisively, and punishes defenses when he reaches the second level. His north–south style fits gap and power concepts particularly well, where he can plant his foot and go.
As a receiver, he’s more than capable. Singleton shows natural hands, smooth transitions after the catch, and real yards-after-catch ability. Penn State even flexed him into the slot and out wide, a usage profile that will appeal to NFL staffs looking for versatility on third downs and in screen-heavy packages.
Areas for Growth
Singleton isn’t without flaws. His vision is solid but not special—he can be early to commit, missing developing cutback lanes. His change of direction is functional rather than dynamic, and he doesn’t consistently break tackles with power despite his 6’0”, 224-pound frame.
Those limitations are why he projects more as a role-based back with upside than a guaranteed starter. But on Day 3, that’s exactly the kind of profile teams should be targeting.
The Injury and Draft Outlook
The broken foot will prevent Singleton from testing at the Combine, though he is expected to attend interviews and meetings. His family has expressed optimism about his recovery, and the injury is not viewed as career-threatening. Still, it could push him down boards—possibly into the early-to-mid Day 3 range.
For the right team, that slide could be an opportunity.
Why the Vikings Should Care
For the Minnesota Vikings, Singleton makes sense as a value bet. With Aaron Jones getting older and the position increasingly treated as a short-term investment, Minnesota would be wise to keep taking swings on young, explosive backs late in the draft.
Singleton fits that mold:
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NFL-ready size and burst
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Three-down potential if development clicks
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Receiving ability that fits a modern offense
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Low-cost investment with real upside
As an early Day 3 pick—or even a late-draft flier if he slides further—Singleton is the kind of player worth betting on. The ceiling may never be “feature back,” but the floor is a useful rotational runner with pass-game value. And if everything breaks right? You’re looking at a back whose upside outcome resembles David Johnson, with a steadier floor closer to Jamaal Williams.
Final Takeaway
Nick Singleton’s Senior Bowl injury complicates his draft process, but it shouldn’t define it. The tape still shows an explosive, versatile runner who produced at a high level in a crowded backfield and brings traits that translate to Sundays.
For a team like the Vikings, looking to plan beyond an aging backfield without over-investing, Singleton is exactly the kind of end-of-draft or early Day 3 gamble that can pay off. The cost will be modest. The upside, if he stays healthy, is very real.
