What Fantasy Owners Should Expect From Aaron Jones After Jordan Mason Breakout

It was a play that offered more evidence for Jones adopting a new role as a pass-catcher. He caught all three of his targets for 44 yards and the touchdown in the fourth quarter while also drawing a 42-yard pass interference penalty from a route he ran lined up out wide.

The Vikings are clearly comfortable moving Jones around to find the best mismatch, which should bode well for offering a stable role as a security blanket for McCarthy in the screen game and some upside on downfield targets.

Better Rushing Days are Ahead for Aaron Jones

The Vikings made considerable improvements to the offensive line by replacing all three interior starters, and while Mason may seem like another pivot toward a new style of running game, Jones arguably has more to gain from the improvements.

Jones has much faster and more athletic guards who can pull and help him get to the edge, where he does his best work. In 2024, Jones took 41 carries outside the left tackle for 224 yards and a 5.4-yard average, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).

While many analysts noticed a decline in Jones' production as the 2024 season wore on, left tackle Christian Darrisaw's absence must also be taken into consideration for the running game's late-season slump.

Darrisaw was out for the season opener in Chicago and is working his way back from an ACL tear he suffered midseason.

Once Darrisaw returns, the left side of the Vikings offensive line will have a formidable duo -- Darrisaw and first-round rookie Donovan Jackson -- that can create space for Jones to break free on the outside.

The Vikings struggled with outside zone run plays against the Bears, which made Mason the more favorable matchup to crash the ball down the middle of the line.

Jones should have better days in the running game, but regardless, his receiving role should keep him in RB2 territory for fantasy managers, which is still a great value for owners who drafted him in the late rounds.