Who Should I Start? Aaron Jones or Tyjae Spears

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.

Tuesday, May 20, 11:27 PM

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (concussion) has been taking part in the team's organized team activities this week after sitting out the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Houston Texans at the end of last season. The 23-year-old has obviously recovered from his head injury and will be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign this fall. Tony Pollard was a workhorse back for the team in 2024 in his first year in Tennessee, but head coach Brian Callahan has already been hinting that it might be in the team's best interest to take some of the load off of Pollard in order to keep him healthy. Spears, who is more of a pass-catching back, was only active for 12 games last year and had 84 carries for 312 yards and four TDs on the ground, adding 30 catches for 224 yards and another score. He's elusive with the ball in his hands, so if he can stay healthy, Spears could be a nice sleeper pick late in fantasy drafts.