The NFL season is quickly approaching, and fantasy drafts are in full swing. At DraftKings, you can play an array of different season-long fantasy contests.
This is a look at the fantasy value of all the players in the Minnesota Vikings’ backfield.
Minnesota Vikings Offense
This season, the J.J. McCarthy era begins in Minnesota. After six years with Kirk Cousins at the helm, the Vikings drafted McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury before he could even play his first regular-season game for Minnesota. The Vikings ended up starting Sam Darnold last season instead, and Darnold had a career-best season, finishing fifth in the NFL in passing yards. The Vikings allowed Darnold to move on anyway, turning their eyes towards the future, J.J. McCarthy.
Under Cousins and Darnold, this was a pass-heavy offense. Minnesota ranked 18th in rush play percentage last season and 30th the year before that. With J.J. McCarthy at quarterback, the Vikings are likely to rely on the run much more. When McCarthy was in college, Michigan was one of the most run-heavy teams in college football. McCarthy could use his athleticism in play-action and even run the ball himself once in a while. He was never a conventional pocket passer. While Kevin O’Connell will always run his system where he likes to air it out to the Vikings’ great receivers, this offense could look a bit different as McCarthy adjusts to NFL life.
Running Back Handcuff: Jordan Mason
Aaron Jones is the main man in the Minnesota backfield. After seven seasons in Green Bay, he left for a divisional rival and joined the Vikings. Jones played all 17 games for Minnesota last season and finished ninth in the NFL in rushing yards. From a rushing yards perspective, it was actually the best season of Jones’ career, a serious feat at his age. If he can replicate that productivity this season, the Vikings would be thrilled. However, Jones turns 31 years old this season, and at that age, durability becomes a real concern. That is why the Vikings brought in Jordan Mason from San Francisco. Mason burst onto the scene last season when Christian McCaffrey suffered a long-term injury. During the month of September 2024, only Derrick Henry had more rushing yards than Jordan Mason.
Aaron Jones will start the season as the RB1 for the Vikings, and keep that role as long as he remains healthy. However, in an effort to keep Jones healthy for a playoff push, Mason will likely get a decent amount of touches on a weekly basis. Then, if Jones does end up missing time with an injury, Mason will be ready to take on a serious role. He did play all 17 games last season, but Jones only played 12 games in 2023-24 in Green Bay. At his age, that is a major concern, which makes Mason an important handcuff for any Aaron Jones owners this season. Even if Jones remains mostly healthy, Mason should play a decent role in what should be a more run-heavy Minnesota offense.
