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The Minnesota Vikings offense will look a little different in 2024. Quarterback Kirk Cousins left in free agency, and the team replaced him with first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy or free-agent signing Sam Darnold will start the year as the Vikings quarterback.
Even the running position has changed for Minnesota this offseason. They released Alexander Mattison -- who started the 2023 season as the team's running back -- and signed Pro Bowler Aaron Jones. Jones and Ty Chandler are expected to lead the backfield this year.
However, does Chandler have any fantasy value with Jones in town? What are both running backs' fantasy outlooks? Let's dive in and find out.
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Aaron Jones Fantasy Outlook
When the Green Bay Packers surprisedly signed former 2022 rushing champ Josh Jacobs in free agency, fantasy managers could see the writing on the wall for Jones. Moments after the four-year deal was announced, the Packers decided to release the 29-year-old running back. But it wasn't long before he found a new home.
Jones eventually agreed to a one-year, $7 million deal with the Vikings, where he is expected to be the team's starting running back in 2024. Despite dealing with a nagging hamstring injury for most of last year, the veteran will enter the 2024-2025 season looking to get back on track in a Minnesota offense that could lean on him more than ever.
3️⃣3️⃣ @Showtyme_33 pic.twitter.com/Z5jugxC3H2
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) May 21, 2024
It's always tricky to roster veteran running backs in fantasy because once they hit a certain age -- usually around 28 years old -- they just aren't the same. Fantasy managers got a taste of that with Jones in 2023, as he played just 11 games. However, it's hard to deny the talent of the former Pro Bowler.
He has totaled at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage in four of the past five seasons. During that span, Jones has also finished as a top-10 fantasy running back in PPR formats four times, including an RB2 finish back in 2019. He might be entering his age-29 season, but he still has plenty left in the tank, especially on this Vikings' offense. Last season, the veteran scored over 14 PPR fantasy points in the final five games of the season (including playoffs).
As a result, fantasy managers shouldn't give up on Jones because of an injury-riddled 2023 campaign. He should come into this Minnesota offense and see almost all the touches out of this backfield. That makes him a nice middle-round target in redraft formats this summer. If he can just manage to stay healthy and play 15 to 17 games in 2024, a high-end RB2 finish is certainly attainable.
Ty Chandler Fantasy Outlook
Chandler showed a lot of promise in his second NFL season in 2023. He eventually took over the starting job in Minnesota's backfield and looked solid in that role. On the year, he rushed for 461 yards and three touchdowns while also catching 21 passes for 159 yards.
Most importantly, though, he became a viable RB2 option in fantasy. From Week 10 to Week 18, Chandler had four double-digit fantasy games, which included scoring a career-high 24.7 PPR points against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15. As a result, the 26-year-old was the favorite to start the year as the lead back for the Vikings. However, things changed immediately when the team signed Jones in March.
Touchdown Ty Chandler!
📺: MINvsCIN @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/vtmfEKvOLy pic.twitter.com/O8u6w4GMCV— NFL (@NFL) December 16, 2023
That signing almost kills Chandler's fantasy value and makes him nothing more than a nice handcuff to Jones in fantasy. He will enter the season as the backup running back in the Vikings' offense. That isn't enough to make him fantasy-relevant because the running back in front of him (Jones) can do it all through the air and on the ground. The former North Carolina product will likely go undrafted in most redraft formats.
Minnesota Vikings Running Back Fantasy Football Outlook
When looking at this Vikings' backfield in 2024, Jones is the running back that fantasy managers will want to own. He will see most, if not all, of the running back carries and goal-line touches this season. That certainly makes him a valuable fantasy option in redraft formats.
#Vikings RB Aaron Jones is going to be elite in this offense this year 🔥
Aaron Jones 2023 @PFF Grades:
💥Overall: 76.1
💥Rushing: 81.5
💥Receiving: 53.7Alexander Mattison 2023 @PFF Grades:
💥Overall: 61.8
💥Rushing: 70.2
💥Receiving: 41.2pic.twitter.com/lE0kPYny8m— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) May 21, 2024
With the Vikings also likely turning to McCarthy at some point in the season, Jones should get a boost with him under center. Not only will the team want to run the ball more with a rookie quarterback, but also look for the veteran back to be more incorporated in the passing game to take some pressure off of a young signal-caller. That could mean some big fantasy days are in store for the long-time Packers running back.
As for Chandler, he unfortunately won't have much fantasy value in 2024 -- unless Jones gets hurt. He should have more of a backup role this season while getting some occasional reps on early downs and passing downs. The 26-year-old, though, is worth a handcuff in fantasy because of Jones' age and his recent history of hamstring injuries. A multi-week absence from the veteran would push the young running back into must-start RB2 territory.
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