Who Should I Start? Miles Sanders or Jordan Mason

Friday, March 14, 12:27 AM

Free-agent running back Miles Sanders plans to sign an undisclosed one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys, sources tell ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Sanders heads to Dallas for the 2025 season after a disappointing two-year run with the Carolina Panthers in which he averaged just 3.5 yards per carry on 184 rushing attempts for 637 yards and three rushing touchdowns in 27 games (seven starts), adding 51 receptions (71 targets) for another 302 yards and a TD through the air. The 27-year-old lost the lead-back role to Chuba Hubbard in 2023 and played in just 11 games (two starts) in 2024 due to injury. Sanders could have a shot to see a bigger workload for the Cowboys after last year's lead back, Rico Dowdle, joined the Panthers in free agency. However, Dallas also brought in former Broncos RB Javonte Williams and could add to the position in what is a deep draft class. At best, Sanders will likely be involved in a committee.

Wednesday, April 2, 9:44 AM

It sounds as though Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason, who was acquired from the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, will have a notable role in the team's backfield in 2025 as the "1b" behind starter Aaron Jones. "I do think Jordan's gonna bring something to the table in those short-yardage situations, those goal-line situations, goal-to-go, where we've really left a lot to be desired as a football team," head coach Kevin O'Connell said. If healthy, Jones should be Minnesota's go-to guy on the early downs and on third down in obvious passing situations, but the presence of Mason as the potential goal-line guy for the Vikes could be bad news for Jones' fantasy ceiling and floor this upcoming season. Mason, 25, has averaged at least 5.2 yards per carry in his three years in the NFL and looked good filling in for the injured Christian McCaffrey in 2025. He'll be a handcuff to Jones but could also be in play as a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex in deeper leagues.