Who Should I Start? Aaron Jones or Cam Skattebo

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.

Monday, May 12, 4:16 PM

SNY's Connor Hughes says not to be surprised if New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo ends up being the team's third-down back in 2025. Skattebo is a capable blocker and was very good as a receiver out of the backfield for Arizona State in 2024. The 23-year-old's dad was a receiver and used to drill him on the fundamentals of route-running, so he could already be the team's most talented pass-catching back. Hughes also writes that there were comparisons after the NFL draft of Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Skattebo recreating the team's old backfield of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. Skattebo is stocky at 5-foot-9, but he's not the physical back that Jacobs was. The fourth-rounder has unique fantasy upside as a potential powerful workhorse down the road, but the presence of Tracy might make him fantasy relevant only in PPR leagues in 2025.