Fantasy Football: Aaron Jones Signs With Vikings
Aaron Jones is the new starting running back for the Vikings. Minnesota really does love those Packer castoffs, don’t they? There has been a ton of movement in the running back market this offseason with a lot of new faces in new places. With Jones now in Minnesota, let’s go over what this means from a fantasy football perspective.
Jones, 29, didn’t have his best season last year but he only played in 11 games. He still did his part but his touchdowns have been way down the last two or three years. With the Vikings, I’d expect that number to climb.
The competition in the backfield consists of Cam Akers and Ty Chandler. Neither are stone cold hammers in short yardage. Maybe I’m wrong but it feels like Jones will fill the Dalvin Cook role. He’s the starter and the other guys come in as a change of pace. That’s it.
More than anything, you have to ask yourself this question. Do you believe in Kevin O’Connell? I’m in the yes camp on that one. I think he’s gotten Kirk Cousins to play better than he actually is. I think he’s too good of a coach to not figure out a way to move the ball. The gap between Sam Darnold at 26 (who signed last night) and Kirk Cousins at 35 coming off an Achilles will be much smaller than people think. Coaching matters and the last time I checked Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are still on the team.
O’Connell isn’t too fond of running the ball and that right there might be the biggest issue. Minnesota was dead last in rushing attempts last year. Dead last. O’Connell is a former quarterback and we know he prefers to air it out. That’s not a secret. However, Jones is a pretty good pass catcher and sometimes you have to cave to your roster. Do you want Sam Darnold airing it out 50 times a game?
I’m a buy on Jones in fantasy. I still think he has something left. The Packers never truly ran him into the ground and he still averaged 4.6 yards per carry while being hurt most of the year. If you can slot him as your RB2 in fantasy, that’s something I’m more than willing to sign up for this year.
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