Who Should I Start? Aaron Jones or Ashton Jeanty

Monday, April 7, 12:27 PM

The Minnesota Vikings have running back Aaron Jones penciled in as their starting RB again in 2025 after paying him more to return ($20 million over two seasons). However, ESPN's Kevin Seifert writes that new RB Jordan Mason isn't going to be a typical backup after they acquired him in a trade from the San Francisco 49ers. Head coach Kevin O'Connell has been very clear that he wants to pull back on Jones' usage after he set career-highs in snaps (700), rushing attempts (255) and total touches (306) in 2024. "When he has historically had that 1A/1B backfield structure, he can be a total game-changer every time he touches the ball," O'Connell said. "So it was always about bringing Aaron back ... but what are we going to pair him with?" It's obviously bad news for Jones' chances of an RB1 finish in fantasy in 2025, with Mason expected to be used in short-yardage and goal-line situations for the Vikes.

Friday, June 13, 1:04 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders took running back Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick in April's NFL draft, but head coach Pete Carroll hints that the first-year back could be part of a committee backfield in 2025. "I love having multiple guys play," Carroll said. "I'm not relying on one guy, you know." Aside from Jeanty, the Raiders have Raheem Mostert, Zamir White and Sincere McCormick at the position. While the Raiders will rely on multiple backs, it's hard not to see Jeanty being the primary option after he had 2,601 yards in his final season at Boise State in 2024. Vegas' 1,357 rushing yards last year were dead-last in the NFL. "Ashton looks every bit what we had hoped he would look like," Carroll said. Despite what Carroll is saying, Jeanty is going to be drafted as a top-five RB going into his rookie season as one of the position's best all-around prospects in many years.