When the Green Bay Packers asked Aaron Jones to take a pay cut for the second consecutive offseason, he stood his ground. The result? A swift release from the team he’d given his all to. But in less than 24 hours, Jones turned the page, inking a one-year, $7 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings. What followed was nothing short of a statement: a career-best 1,138 rushing yards, 51 receptions, and seven total touchdowns in 2024, proving he’s still a force to be reckoned with. The Vikings, recognizing his value, locked him in with a two-year, $20 million contract, including $13 million in guarantees. Yet, despite this stellar performance, the fantasy football world is sleeping on Aaron Jones—and it’s bordering on absurd.
In 2024, Jones was a top-16 fantasy running back across all scoring formats, delivering consistent production with a blend of rushing prowess and receiving flair. His current 2025 ADP, however, languishes outside the top-25 running backs, a baffling oversight for a player of his caliber. The analysts at Football Guys have championed Jones as a prime value pick, with Phil Alexander laying out a compelling case: “The Vikings didn’t pay Aaron Jones $13 million guaranteed to be a backup. He was signed to lead a backfield poised for scoring opportunities under Kevin O’Connell’s play-calling, with talented rookie J.J. McCarthy at quarterback.”
Jones’ versatility is unmatched. Since 2019, he’s averaged 48 receptions per season, a testament to his role as a dual-threat back. Last year, he ranked in the top-10 among running backs in routes run, targets, receptions, receiving yards, and red zone touches—metrics that scream reliability and high-value volume. Even at 30, Jones remains a dynamic playmaker, shrugging off nagging injuries to deliver week-in, week-out for fantasy managers. To see him ranked behind unproven rookies or veterans with undefined roles is, frankly, disrespectful.
Enter Jordan Mason, the wrinkle in this narrative. The Vikings acquired the former 49ers running back shortly after re-signing Jones, handing Mason a two-year deal of his own. Some argue this move clouds Jones’ role, pointing to Mason’s efficiency in short-yardage situations (2.4 yards per carry better than Jones in 1-3 yard scenarios) and his potential for red zone work. Projecting Mason’s 2024 stats over a full season suggests he could’ve rivaled top-10 running backs in red zone carries, and he scored nearly as many red zone rushing touchdowns as Jones in fewer games.
But let’s not get carried away. Jones’ 2024 production was fueled by a career-high in carries, touches, and snaps—volume that Mason, with just 236 career carries, has yet to prove he can handle. While Mason, at 26, brings fresh legs and excelled as a runner last season, he’s not the complete package Jones is. Jones’ receiving prowess and ability to command passing-down work give him a higher floor, especially in PPR formats. Mason may eat into Jones’ red zone carries, but Jones’ role as the Vikings’ primary back and a fixture in the passing game is far from “murky.”
The fantasy debate boils down to a choice: Do you bet on a 31-year-old proven veteran coming off a career-defining season, or a 26-year-old with limited experience but undeniable upside? Mason’s ADP outside the top-30 running backs makes him a tempting dart throw, but Jones’ track record and versatility make him the safer, smarter pick. The disrespect toward Aaron Jones—overlooking his elite production, durability, and role in a high-octane offense—has gone beyond reason. Snag him in your drafts, and watch him prove the doubters wrong again.