Who Should I Start? Aaron Jones or Trey Benson

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.

Thursday, June 12, 9:11 PM

Arizona Cardinals second-year running back Trey Benson said that he's added seven pounds this offseason but is also more explosive going into his sophomore campaign. "That's my mindset: Two RB1s," Benson said. The team's other RB1 is of course James Conner, who is a workhorse but is no stranger to injuries. The 22-year-old former third-rounder (66th overall) last year out of Florida State took a clear back seat to Conner in 2024, carrying the ball just 63 times for 291 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and one touchdown while catching all six of his targets for 59 yards in 13 games (one start). He missed the final three games with an ankle injury. Benson has the size and speed to be a workhorse himself, but that's not going to happen unless Conner misses time with injury in 2025. He is still more of a dynasty stash than a redraft target, with RotoBaller ranking him as the No. 46 fantasy RB.