Xazavian Valladay Hopes to Revive NFL Career with Vikings After Saints Exit

The Minnesota Vikings are adding depth to the running back room as the NFL cutdown day is a week away.

The Vikings agreed to terms on Aug. 18 with Xazavian Valladay, who was cut by the New Orleans Saints in June, Mike Garafaolo of NFL Media reported. 

Valladay participated in the Saints and New York Jets practice squads last season. He was with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, but was signed as an undrafted rookie by the Houston Texans and released 10 days later. His only regular-season action was on special teams in one game with the Jets in 2023.

Xazavian Valladay Was a Star in College at Wyoming and Arizona State

Valladay, a 27-year-old from Matteson, Illinois, is an ultra-athletic running back and was a star in college at Wyoming and Arizona State. While at Wyoming, Valladay rushed for 3,281 yards and 19 touchdowns in four years. He finished his college career at Arizona State, where he rushed for 1,192 yards and 16 touchdowns in his lone season.

Valladay established himself as one of the top backs in the Mountain West, earning first-team All-Conference honors in 2019 and 2020. He was named to the Associated Press All-Bowl Team following a 204-yard and one-touchdown effort in the Arizona Bowl. He finished his tenure at Wyoming as an All-Mountain West selection for three straight years and the owner of the second-most rushing yards in Wyoming history.

While a grad student for Arizona State, Valladay was named to the Doak Walker Award watch list after leading the Sun Devils with 1,481 all-purpose yards and leading the Pac-12 conference in touchdowns.

Scouts had Valladay as a sleeper draft pick coming out of college. According to Pro Football Network, he has a gift for receiving as a running back. Scouts compared his measurables to former NFL running backs Reggie Bush and Tevin Coleman.

He was snubbed from attending the NFL Combine, but put on a show at Arizona State Pro Day, with a 40-inch vertical, 22 reps on the bench press, and running the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds.

The Vikings Have Five Other Running Backs on the Roster

The Vikings are led at running back by Aaron Jones Sr., who in his first season with Minnesota, had 1,138 rushing yards. Jones had dealt with injuries in recent years. The team also traded for Jordan Mason from the San Francisco 49ers in March. Mason is expected to be Jones’ backup.

Minnesota also has Ty Chandler, Zavier Scott and Tre Stewart on the preseason roster. Scott rushed for 28 yards and added three catches for 44 yards in the Vikings 12-20 preseason loss to the New England Patriots on Aug. 16. He and Chandler, who rushed for 12 yards, are competing for the No. 3 spot.

The Vikings finish the preseason on Aug. 22 at the Tennessee Titans. Valladay is expected to get some touches and could be signed to the team’s practice squad. The NFL cutdown day is Aug. 26.