Who Should I Start? Aaron Jones or Kyren Williams

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.

Sunday, May 4, 1:58 PM

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams doesn't think he has reached his ceiling despite back-to-back 1,100-yard rushing seasons. Williams has also added an impressive 26 total touchdowns the last two years. "I don't feel like I've touched my peak yet. I've gotten to where I wanted to be, but I'm determined to make this my best season," Williams said. The 24-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2022 remains hungry for more production as he enters the final year of his rookie deal in 2025 with the Rams. L.A. could involve backup Blake Corum behind Williams more in his second year in the league, but Williams remains the team's unquestioned RB1 as long as he's healthy, and he should be considered a solid midrange RB1 option in fantasy drafts this fall. In 16 regular-season games in 2024, Williams was the RB6 in half-PPR scoring with 1,299 rushing yards and 14 rushing TDs on 316 carries.