June 24, 2025

The Minnesota Vikings weren't required to deploy running back Ty Chandler much in 2024. With backfield mate Aaron Jones appearing in all 17 games and the team making a trade for fellow rusher Cam Akers during their Week 6 bye, Chandler played third fiddle and made little impact. He was involved a good amount before Minnesota's off-week, totaling 147 yards on 42 carries (3.5 YPC) and chipping in another 42 through the air on 6-of-6 receiving. However, the former North Carolina Tar Heel accrued just 14 more offensive touches as Jones and Akers dominated backfield work. The latter is gone now -- shipped off to New Orleans -- but was replaced by another competent rusher in Jordan Mason. Mason was excellent last season, rushing for a career-high 789 yards (5.16 per carry) in the stead of former teammate Christian McCaffrey for the 49ers before suffering his own injury. The move seemingly leaves Chandler on the outside looking in, which is unfortunate, considering his explosive athletic profile (4.38 40-yard dash). For now, he remains a lower-tier handcuff with Mason set to handle second-string duties behind Jones. The 27-year-old doesn't project to garner any standalone value, and likely won't see the field too much on offense unless one of the athletes slotted ahead of him on the depth chart were to miss time. He ranks as RotoBaller's PPR RB97.--Alex Ciulla