Who Should I Start? Travis Etienne Jr. or Jordan Mason

Thursday, May 7, 6:02 AM

Following the trade that sent running back Jordan Mason to the Minnesota Vikings ahead of the 2025 season, the fourth-year back was pegged as a popular breakout candidate, rising all the way to RB24 in consensus dynasty rankings. By most metrics, Mason's first year in Minnesota was a disappointment. Even with Aaron Jones Sr. missing significant time, Mason was held to only 758 rushing yards and six touchdowns while the entirety of the Vikings' offense was held back by listless quarterback play. The Vikings have found at least a short-term fix at quarterback, bringing in Kyler Murray on a one-year deal, and while Minnesota was labeled as one of the more running back-needy teams entering the 2026 NFL Draft, the team waited until the sixth round of a weak class to address the position, selecting Demond Claiborne out of Wake Forest. At 5'9" and 195 pounds, Claiborne poses little threat to Mason's between-the-tackles early-down work. With both Mason and Jones in the final year of their contracts, the importance of the 2026 season for Mason's long-term dynasty value can not be overstated. He enters the season as RotoBaller's RB50, but that ranking could climb if Minnesota's offense can shake off a forgettable 2025 campaign.