Should I Draft Aaron Jones or Ty Chandler For Fantasy Football? Who is the Vikings RB1 for 2024?

The Minnesota Vikings started 2023 with Alexander Mattison as their starting RB. That didn't work out, and Ty Chandler got opportunities to be the RB1 for the Vikings late in the season. In Chandler's final eight games of 2023, he had very up-and-down performances, logging everything from an abysmal eight carries for 17 yards (2.1 YPC, day salvaged by a TD) and 23 carries for 132 yards and one TD (5.7 YPC).

After a tumultuous 2023, Aaron Jones was cut by the Packers and immediately signed by the Vikings the next day. Jones struggled with injuries last season but produced consistently well when he played healthy and posted four straight seasons of 1,000+ scrimmage yards from 2019-2022, finishing as the overall RB2, RB5, RB11 and RB9. Jones is now 29 though, and the age cliff arrives quickly for RBs in the NFL.

With that in mind, let's break down which RB you should draft for your fantasy team in 2024.

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Who is the Minnesota Vikings' RB1?

This is an easy question to answer. It's Aaron Jones. Immediately after being released by Green Bay, the Vikings scooped up Jones and offered him a one-year, $7 million contract. That's an expression of faith in his ability during a time when RB salaries are depressed compared to previous years. In addition, Jones posted a respectable five games with 14+ PPR points in 2023.

If the Vikings had full faith in Chandler after 2023, it would have made more sense for them to pick up a backup. Aaron Jones was not signed to back up Chandler. Jones gashed the Cowboys in the playoffs for 131 total yards and three touchdowns. During that game and before the hamstring injury that presumably bothered him for the rest of the season, Jones looked extremely explosive.

Jordan Love TO AARON JONES FOR THE TOUCHDOWN ON 4TH AND 3
pic.twitter.com/SLyRE9Bg1A

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 10, 2023

Jones hit a top speed of 21.48 mph on this play, showing that he still has great burst. If his hamstring is fully healed in 2023, Jones could put up another top-10 RB season. The Cowboys game suggested his hamstring is fine. Jones averages 5.0 YPC over his career. He's highly efficient. He's priced as the ~RB19 in PPR and is a great value.

Who Should I Draft in Fantasy Football?

Jones is the unquestioned lead RB for the Vikings. While Ty Chandler could have a significant role, it's unlikely that he will be fantasy-relevant unless Jones gets injured. Additionally, Chandler's 2023 performances show that he'd be a boom-or-bust player with some pretty ugly busts, evidenced by his being outperformed by Alexander Mattison against the Raiders last season. Jones' ADP is on the low side and he presents a solid value for his ceiling. If you want a Vikings RB for your 2024 fantasy team, draft Aaron Jones.

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