Who Should I Start? Aaron Jones or D'Andre Swift

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.

Wednesday, June 4, 12:39 PM

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift wants his production to be "undeniable" as the team's lead back in 2025, and he's been putting in the work to be physically ready for a heavy workload, reports Marquee Sports Network's Scott Bair. Swift will need to improve on his 2024 campaign to hold off Roschon Johnson after averaging a career-low 3.8 yards per carry. The 26-year-old worked with new head coach Ben Johnson during their time together in Detroit, and Johnson called Swift a "fierce competitor." The Bears only added RB Kyle Monangai in the seventh round of this year's NFL draft, so Swift figures to open the 2025 season as the starter in Chicago's backfield. It's unclear exactly how the workload will be split up in Johnson's backfield, but based on volume alone, Swift should be in play as an RB2 in fantasy.