Who Should I Start? Aaron Jones Sr. or Bucky Irving

Friday, February 6, 10:42 AM

In his first season with the team in 2024, Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. recorded over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and played 17 games, earning himself a second contract. However, Jones Sr. struggled through injuries and a production decline in 2025, logging just 747 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on 160 touches across 12 games played. Even when Jones Sr. was healthy, Minnesota split backfield work between him and Jordan Mason, limiting the production upside for both players. If Jones Sr. is back with the Vikings in 2026, he figures to work in a timeshare with Mason once again. Minnesota could also save $8 million against the cap by releasing Jones Sr., so the veteran running back may find himself in a new home come September. Regardless of where Jones Sr. is playing in 2026, his days as a true lead back for an NFL team may be coming to an end as he hits his age-32 season.

Tuesday, February 10, 2:23 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving was a disappointment for fantasy managers in 2025 while missing seven games because of shoulder and foot injuries. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson had good things to say about Irving, though, and the 23-year-old could be a popular bounce-back candidate this fall with Rachaad White likely to leave in free agency. "I see Bucky in a very similar light [to Bijan Robinson] there with what he can do in the passing game, and there's not a run concept that he can't run," Robinson said. "So I'm excited to work with Bucky and know that there is a ton of meat on the bone in the passing game." Irving, a fourth-rounder in 2024 out of Oregon, rushed for 588 yards and only one touchdown on 173 carries in 10 games in 2025, but he proved to be worthy of lead-back duties after carrying the ball 207 times for 1,122 yards and eight rushing TDs in 17 games as a rookie. Don't sleep on Irving going into next season.