The Minnesota Vikings aren’t the same team that won 14 games a year ago. The high-flying offense is experiencing a change under center, moving from Sam Darnold to 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. It remains a blind projection on what to expect from the Michigan product, who was sidelined due to a meniscus tear for the entirety of his rookie season.
With Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Addison all available, production looks like a sure thing with a respectable ceiling. Yet the key to maximizing coach Kevin O’Connell’s downfield passing offense means an efficient running game to keep defenses honest. What can fantasy managers expect from Aaron Jones and the newly acquired Jordan Mason this fall?
Let’s dive in.
Aaron Jones 2025 Fantasy Football Outlook
What Happened in 2024?
Jones was a bright spot on a team filled with them, taking a career-high 255 carries for 1138 yards and five touchdowns while adding 51 receptions for 408 yards and two scores. He also played a career-high 700 snaps, having eclipsed 600 just twice prior.
It showcases the value O’Connell holds in Jones, shown from the very beginning when Minnesota added him in free agency after Green Bay, a division rival, let him walk. Jones’ strong 2024 season saw him rewarded with an extension, signing a two-year, $20 million contract in March.
It’s also important to remember what else happened in 2024. Minnesota struggled to field another rusher alongside Jones, whether that was spelling the veteran or as a complement to ease Jones’ workload. From testing out Ty Chandler to trading for Cam Akers, Darnold ended the season with more rushing attempts than either backup running back.
Enter Mason, who is expected to be what Chandler and Akers couldn’t be a year ago.
What Might This Offense Look Like in 2025?
While Jones returns for his second season in Minnesota, the Vikings wanted to add a complement to their 30-year-old starter. That came with the signing of Jordan Mason, who has received rave reviews from beat reporters throughout the early portion of the offseason.
Many look at the core of Jefferson, Addison, and Hockenson and assume a pass-heavy offense. Don’t be so sure. Jones has never inspired confidence in fantasy drafts, whether that’s due to injury or the competition around him. But he always seems to produce.
Minnesota sat 17th in passing attempts in 2024, a drop from 2023 when the Vikings ranked sixth in the category. A switch from Kirk Cousins to Sam Darnold could explain the change, plus the gradual return of Hockenson from injury, but there are far more reasons to expect more of the same in 2025 than there was a year prior.
The Vikings couldn’t run the ball in 2023, finishing among the bottom feeders in rushing yards as lead back Alexander Mattison faltered. It’s why O’Connell went out and added Jones in the first place, balancing out the offense with a capable rusher. That won’t be abandoned as Minnesota eases into its rookie signal caller in McCarthy. Adding Mason only ensures a heightened emphasis on maintaining or even enhancing the rushing game.
Check out our episode breaking down the Vikings!
Fantasy Fallout
Jones currently resides as the RB27 according to FantasyPros’ ADP in half-PPR scoring, a fair and viable cost for a sure-fire RB2. Mason should be a favorite and emerging name in Zero-RB circles. While Jones played 17 games in 2024, he’s only played a full season in three of his eight seasons.
Mason should be treated as a high-end handcuff and a great late-round target in best ball formats. Don’t be surprised if the former 49er carves out a small role in this backfield alongside Jones, either — the former Packer rusher saw a career-high 306 touches, and Mason could pick up some of the slack.
Expecting the world from McCarthy from the get-go is unfair. Instead, levy those expectations on a rushing attack that’s undervalued in drafts by grabbing Aaron Jones and/or Jordan Mason, and reap the rewards.
Looking for your favorite team? This link will take you to the rest of our 2025 Look Inside team previews.
A Look Inside the Minnesota Vikings
Editor’s Note: While this article focuses on Aaron Jones in fantasy football, we don’t want to leave you hanging on the rest of the team. Here is a quick look at the other fantasy-relevant Vikings from Ryan Weisse.
J.J. McCarthy
The Vikings hand McCarthy the keys, but he is still an unknown for fantasy. He won’t be asked to carry the offense, which is good for real life but puts a cap on his fantasy upside. Think low-end QB2 with the occasional spike week, especially if he connects early and often with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. He’ll need rushing or red zone volume to crack top-15 value, and I’m not sure that will be part of his game.
Jordan Mason
Aaron Jones is the veteran, but Mason could quietly be the most efficient back on the roster. He’s built to thrive between the tackles and may carve out a bigger role than expected, especially if Jones wears down. There’s standalone flex appeal if this turns into more of a timeshare and serious upside if Mason ever gets the lead job. He’s one of those late-round RBs you’ll be glad you stashed.
Justin Jefferson
New quarterback, same old JJetta. Even with some early-season growing pains expected from McCarthy, Jefferson’s role isn’t in doubt. Volume, talent, and trust keep him locked in as a top-tier WR1. The ceiling may not be quite as high as past seasons, but he’s still one of the safest first-round picks in fantasy.
Jordan Addison
Addison has flashed in his first two seasons, notably scoring 19 TDs. He also benefits from softer coverage with defenses keying on Jefferson. He’s unlikely to ever see enough volume to be a WR1, but he could crack the top-25 again if McCarthy finds his footing quickly. As long as he keeps finding the endzone, he should easily outproduce his ADP.
T.J. Hockenson
Hockenson’s last season was a disaster. Recovering from his 2023 knee injury, he put up the worst season of his career. Playing just 10 games and scoring NO touchdowns. Zero. Zilch. And that was with Sam Darnold tossing 35 TDs last year. He has the skill set to be a security blanket for their young QB and a proven mismatch in the red zone. The question is: Which Hockenson will we see this season? At this current ADP, that is a very big question.
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