Who Should I Start? Aaron Jones Sr. or James Cook

Saturday, May 9, 5:25 AM

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. missed five games in 2025 while struggling through hamstring, hip, and shoulder issues, but when healthy, he was still the team's preferred back on the field. He led first-year Viking Jordan Mason by nearly five offensive snaps and 12 yards from scrimmage per game. Minnesota was pegged as one of the most running back-needy teams heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, but they waited until late Day 3 to address the position, selecting Wake Forest's Demond Claiborne in the sixth round. While the 5'9", 195-pound rookie poses more of a threat to Jones than the 223-pound early down thumper Mason, the backfield is likely heading towards an even more ambiguous split. At 31 years old, Jones won't come close to approaching his former league-winning ceiling, but given his well-rounded skill set in both the run and pass games, he's still a safe bet to be the Vikings' most valuable back for fantasy. At RotoBaller's dynasty RB53, Jones is a low-cost add for contending managers seeking depth, with the understanding that, entering the final year of his current contract, he is unlikely to return value beyond 2026.