RB Jordan Mason, MIN (2 Viewers)

[Ministry of Pain]

We'll see if he can stay healthy. Not saying he can't, just saying we don't really know.

And that's why he's pretty cheap from the ADPs I've seen
I understand what you're saying, you always have a good POV but the upside vs ADP seems to tilt his way
i think it's well worth the roll of the dice, like the head coach there as well, usually doesn't have egg on his face often
They've made a decent commitment without giving up that much to bring him in much like Darnold last season
Here's an UDFA that gets his dream, a trade in Year 4 and a 2 yr contract that is really a 1 yr deal to prove himself and I would bet the Vikings would give him a new deal in the off season

I can't think of a better scenario as a FF manager, this guy has a LOT to play for this season and isn't going to a talent starved team, they have plenty there.
I like the the leaves right now

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

And that's why he's pretty cheap from the ADPs I've seen
I understand what you're saying, you always have a good POV but the upside vs ADP seems to tilt his way

Yeah, I mean I got him 14.09 in a 12-team start-up as my RB6? That’s pretty light investment for the upside. Especially in light of their aging RB1.

Also IIRC part of the devaluation was the groupthink that he’s a backup, when recent updates indicate a timeshare to keep AJones healthy.

And if Jones goes down, having the featured back in MIN would be a steal at ADP. Haven’t seen his redraft ADP but I’m probably a buyer.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

And that's why he's pretty cheap from the ADPs I've seen
I understand what you're saying, you always have a good POV but the upside vs ADP seems to tilt his way

Yeah, I mean I got him 14.09 in a 12-team start-up as my RB6? That’s pretty light investment for the upside. Especially in light of their aging RB1.

Also IIRC part of the devaluation was the groupthink that he’s a backup, when recent updates indicate a timeshare to keep AJones healthy.

And if Jones goes down, having the featured back in MIN would be a steal at ADP. Haven’t seen his redraft ADP but I’m probably a buyer.

AJ is going to get targets receiving which will make him startable most weeks, people are going to be surprised how many carries Mason will gobble up for the Vikings

Here's a potential box score on Monday Morning when folks are flipping thru their USA Today with a piece of paper and pencil
Aaron Jones- 8/35, 5/40
Jordan Mason- 15/75 TD

I see Flex duty and serious Bye week fillers here for most owners, don't overspend on Jones, take mason rounds later and see what unfolds.
Seems like the safest play for the Vikes backfield
I'm oversimplifying things but most understand what i'm trying to say
And yes, Jones could easily miss a little time when you factor in his age which is why I think the Vikes will protect him because they need Aaron Jones on those 3rd and 3+ situations where they have to throw the football with an inexperienced rookie QB

You got him at a perfect spot, if he's a miss you cut him and look on waivers but my guess is he proves valuable
This is a good football team that is going to win a lot of games and will want to run clock when they are ahead

 

[TripItUp]

Don't like it at all. Really would need two things to happen for a reliable fantast starter.

1) Jones gets injured
2) Mason doesn't get injured

odds of both happening?

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Don't like it at all. Really would need two things to happen for a reliable fantast starter.

1) Jones gets injured
2) Mason doesn't get injured

odds of both happening?

Why do you say that? There's a clear path for Mason to be a guy that absorbs carries between the 20s just as a foundation
Why would the Vikes overload Jones?
They have basically a rookie QB, they need Jones out there all the time on 3rd down, Mason has not yet shown that he is much of a threat out of the backfield
If I'm the OC, I see value in both of them but I need Jones more on passing situations than I do Jones on 1st and 10 when I can hand off to a RB that gets over 5 yds a carry

What am i missing Trip? I'll listen to yoy but you gotta give me a little more or I need to see what you see in the stat box

 

[TripItUp]

Why do you say that? There's a clear path for Mason to be a guy that absorbs carries between the 20s just as a foundation

Most news I've seen is a split down the middle. Sure Mason will get carries(until he gets injured), but that doesn't make him a viable fantasy starter. Plenty of other part time RBs out there not getting steamed like Mason that don't have Mason's injury history.

Mason gamble may pay off, but I think it's important to be honest about this timeshare situation.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Why do you say that? There's a clear path for Mason to be a guy that absorbs carries between the 20s just as a foundation

Most news I've seen is a split down the middle. Sure Mason will get carries(until he gets injured), but that doesn't make him a viable fantasy starter. Plenty of other part time RBs out there not getting steamed like Mason that don't have Mason's injury history.

Mason gamble may pay off, but I think it's important to be honest about this timeshare situation.

28/147/TD
20/100/TD
24/123/TD
His other 2 starts while CMC was out include 19/77 and 14/89
He did all this the 1st 5 weeks last season

Find me another back up that his this kind of resume and was traded FOR and given some real money to play this season
I think the Vikes have a plan for him and he's not just an insurance policy
I'm not trying to shut you down

I think there is reason for optimism and when you factor in a relative cheap price tag, this guy is a Sleeper in every sense
Coach KO says it's 1A/1B and feels like they have a 1-2 punch at RB, Jones turns 31 this year, they gonna burn him out trying to run clock in the 2nd half of games with an inexperienced QB?
What is the risk and who am I stepping over when I take Mason?

You don't have to answer me, I understand your trepidations, you might have other options you like better in the RB4/5 range because he's the RB40 off the board right now
Very little risk IMHO

 

[BespokeJort]

Why do you say that? There's a clear path for Mason to be a guy that absorbs carries between the 20s just as a foundation

Most news I've seen is a split down the middle. Sure Mason will get carries(until he gets injured), but that doesn't make him a viable fantasy starter. Plenty of other part time RBs out there not getting steamed like Mason that don't have Mason's injury history.

Mason gamble may pay off, but I think it's important to be honest about this timeshare situation.

28/147/TD
20/100/TD
24/123/TD
His other 2 starts while CMC was out include 19/77 and 14/89
He did all this the 1st 5 weeks last season

Find me another back up that his this kind of resume and was traded FOR and given some real money to play this season
I think the Vikes have a plan for him and he's not just an insurance policy
I get it, you dismiss him based on injuries and whatever else, no problem I respect you. I'm not trying to shut you down

I think there is reason for optimism and when you factor in a relative cheap price tag, this guy is a Sleeper in every sense
Coach KO says it's 1A/1B and feels like they have a 1-2 punch at RB, Jones turns 31 this year, they gonna burn him out trying to run clock in the 2nd half of games with an inexperienced QB?
What is the risk and who am I stepping over when I take Mason?

You don't have to answer me, I understand your trepidations, you might have other options you like better in the RB4/5 range because he's the RB40 off the board right now
Very little risk IMHO

Yeah I think I’m pretty clear eyed about “he may be nothing” but the evidence he may be something of significance seems stronger than most bets at his relative cost

 

[TripItUp]

28/147/TD
20/100/TD
24/123/TD
His other 2 starts while CMC was out include 19/77 and 14/89
He did all this the 1st 5 weeks last season

A not relevant

and

B not relevant

Why don't we look at Minnesota RBs last year.

Classic mistake.

 

[Biabreakable]

Does Mason have a history of injuries I am unaware of?

From what I have heard and as you can see from the clip above Mason has done well so far with the Vikings.

I expect him to be used in tandem with Jones and the Viking may run the ball a bit more than they have previously with KOC if its more effective than it has been. This will always be a passing team, but if both RB are healthy and the offensive line is improved as it's expected to be then I think that means 2 or more additional rushing attempts per game than their 3 year average and a split something like 60/40 in rushing attempts with Jones seeing more looks in the passing game.

 

[BespokeJort]

Does Mason have a history of injuries I am unaware of?

From what I have heard and as you can see from the clip above Mason has done well so far with the Vikings.

I expect him to be used in tandem with Jones and the Viking may run the ball a bit more than they have previously with KOC if its more effective than it has been. This will always be a passing team, but if both RB are healthy and the offensive line is improved as it's expected to be then I think that means 2 or more additional rushing attempts per game than their 3 year average and a split something like 60/40 in rushing attempts with Jones seeing more looks in the passing game.

He had a shoulder issue that made him a frustrating/unpredictable start for a new games after his hot start, and then the season ending ankle thing (that seemed season ending because it happened late season rather than because it was super serious iirc). Nothing big or super predictive looking though afaik. RB is a rough position

 

[Faust]

Jacob Gibbs
Jordan Mason in his Minnesota Vikings debut:

+ 15 of 23 RB rush attempts
+ 57% snap rate compared to 47% for Aaron Jones
+ 100% snap rate in the red zone

Early charting shows that Mason gained 42 of 45 rushing yards after initial contact

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1965260160395567250?s=61

Nathan Jahnke
Jordan Mason ended the game with more offensive snaps than Aaron Jones

https://x.com/pff_natejahnke/status/1965260708448534760?s=61

 

[mjb03003]

RB2. He’s going to score double digit TDs and flirt with 1,000 rush yards

 

[RaidersAreOne]

RB2. He’s going to score double digit TDs and flirt with 1,000 rush yards

If Jones were to go down I’d agree. However he’s stealing some serious touches.

 

[rockaction]

Yeah, 1,000 yards is a tall order but right now he looks like their lead back. Jones is just older and everybody's time comes.

 

[The Gator]

Yeah, 1,000 yards is a tall order

That's 58ypg, not that tall of an order imo

 

[rockaction]

Yeah, 1,000 yards is a tall order

That's 58ypg, not that tall of an order imo

Yeah, you know what? I'm so used to that as a benchmark from my youth that I didn't stop to think. Still probably tough for a committee back, but he seemed to get the important rushing touches tonight.

I was on him since March. If you check this thread, I think I'm the first one (maybe HSG was) to say that I really liked him this year and that I thought he'd be the lead back. I think we're seeing some usage the first game that points in that direction, but I also think Jones will hang around as a consummate pro and a guy that is really good receiving.

 

[BespokeJort]

Yeah jones may still have a lock on receiving back duties for the foreseeable future but Mason looked like the better runner last night

 

[the moops]

Yeah, 1,000 yards is a tall order

That's 58ypg, not that tall of an order imo

Only 16 running backs got more than 1000 last year. 12 in 2023. It's still a pretty tall order especially if he is in a timeshare

 

[mjb03003]

Yeah, 1,000 yards is a tall order

That's 58ypg, not that tall of an order imo

Only 16 running backs got more than 1000 last year. 12 in 2023. It's still a pretty tall order especially if he is in a timeshare

Or maybe he'll just flirt with 1,000 yards, which is what I said in my original post.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Yeah jones may still have a lock on receiving back duties for the foreseeable future but Mason looked like the better runner last night

Looked like a pretty even split to me.

It would be easy to bash on Mason since those last 3 carries went 6-0-1, in a game I lost by .3 but I actually really liked his usage. In a goal to go situation I believe they’d go to Mason at the stripe.

That was a weird game to judge him by, as well. They were down early, JJM couldn’t get out of 1st gear, punt punt punt then down more. Given that game-flow I think there will be more positive scripts where Mason has more opportunities in the future.

And AJones isn’t a young dude. If he were to miss time, Mason is a jackpot.

 

[Judge Smails]

Yeah jones may still have a lock on receiving back duties for the foreseeable future but Mason looked like the better runner last night

Looked like a pretty even split to me.

It would be easy to bash on Mason since those last 3 carries went 6-0-1, in a game I lost by .3 but I actually really liked his usage. In a goal to go situation I believe they’d go to Mason at the stripe.

That was a weird game to judge him by, as well. They were down early, JJM couldn’t get out of 1st gear, punt punt punt then down more. Given that game-flow I think there will be more positive scripts where Mason has more opportunities in the future.

And AJones isn’t a young dude. If he were to miss time, Mason is a jackpot.

It’s not if. It’s when

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

It’s not if. It’s when

I’ve bet against Aaron Jones for years. I’ve lost that bet every year. “When” might be in 2047. Long after cockroaches have evolved to the dominant species on Earth, Aaron Jones will be going 8/47, 6/56/1 for his gleefully hissing cockroach overlords.

 

[SoBeDad]

It’s not if. It’s when

Aaron Jones played 17 games last year, and 17 in 2022, only 11 in 2023.

Jordan Mason had a shoulder injury early in the 2024 season and a HAS late causing him to miss the last 5 games.

Age favors Mason, but Jones has played in 45 of his team's last 51 regular season game. Mason initiates a lot of contact. A near 50-50 split might be the best for the team. Both made nice blitz pickup last night.

 

[Football Jones]

The snaps were nearly even, but I suspect Mason will be operating as their feature back (more or less) by mid-season. I noticed he was in on quite a few passing downs, which is a good sign.

Jones isn't going away, but I believe the snap share will eventually swing to Mason by a comfortable margin.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

It’s not if. It’s when

Aaron Jones played 17 games last year, and 17 in 2022, only 11 in 2023.

Jordan Mason had a shoulder injury early in the 2024 season and a HAS late causing him to miss the last 5 games.

Age favors Mason, but Jones has played in 45 of his team's last 51 regular season game. Mason initiates a lot of contact. A near 50-50 split might be the best for the team. Both made nice blitz pickup last night.

Agreed. They’re a dangerous tandem.

I’ll add that JJM’s sneaky rushing ability might just open a few more lanes for them both if KOC starts running more option plays. Once defenses start to spy #9, both RB will benefit.

 

[Wingnut]

Glad to see Mason getting action and playing well, I've always really liked him.

 

[Faust]

Alec Lewis
Jordan Mason averaged 3.86 yards after contact last night, per @TruMediaSports. That's the highest a RB has posted in a game for the Vikings since head coach Kevin O'Connell got the job.

https://x.com/alec_lewis/status/1965479018465259784?s=61

 

[Timmay]

Just a matter of time until he leads this backfield.

 

[msudaisy26]

Just a matter of time until he leads this backfield.

By mid season I expect Aaron Jones to be a 3rd down style back that gets maybe 8ish carries a game. Still a very good and productive role. For fantasy purposes it is going to be tough for all of us.

 

[zamboni]

The guy runs hard for sure - fun to watch. And with this OL, he’s going to grind some yards out.