Who Should I Start? Aaron Jones or Zack Moss

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, May 29, 1:27 PM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss (neck) was active and participating in the first voluntary organized team activity session on Tuesday. Moss played in only eight games (six starts) with the Bengals last year before landing on Injured Reserve with a neck injury. The 27-year-old averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per carry on 74 rushing attempts for 242 yards and two touchdowns before his season-ending injury. However, the Bengals only took running back Tahj Brooks in the sixth round of this year's draft and signed Samaje Perine in free agency, so Moss has a solid chance of opening the 2025 campaign as the top backup to Chase Brown. If Moss looks the same as he did last year with Cincinnati, though, both Perine and Brooks could jump him on the depth chart. At best, Moss is a handcuff option in the later rounds for those that select Brown.