Who Should I Start? Aaron Jones or Jaylen Wright

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, June 9, 6:05 PM

Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright worked hard on his body in the offseason after fading down the stretch in his rookie season in 2024 with just nine carries for six yards in the final five games. "Just working hard in the offseason, working on my body," Wright said. "I probably added about, probably six pounds. I lost a lot of body fat. I gained a lot of muscle. That's why it might look like I'm a little bigger, but yeah, just off-season, working hard, focusing on my body, getting prepared for the season, so." The 22-year-old was taken in the fourth round (120th overall) last year out of Tennessee but had a limited role down the stretch behind De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert, finishing with 249 rushing yards and no touchdowns on 68 total carries in 15 games (one start). With Mostert out of town, Wright has a clear path to RB2 duties, and his big-play abilities make him a nice handcuff option to Achane.