RADIO
Jordan Mason Turning Heads In Vikings Training Camp
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason has had a great training camp, so much so that he was reportedly listed as a co-starter with Aaron Jones at running back on the team's first unofficial depth chart, according to Rob Kleifield of the Vikings' official site. Mason had a productive season for the Vikings in 2025 with 159 carries for 758 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry and also caught 14 passes for 51 yards. Mason played in 16 games last season, carving out a nice role even with Aaron Jones on the team. At 5-foot-11 and 230 pounds, Mason is a big-time presence in the backfield and looks like a nice between-the-tackles runner, while Jones could feature more on the passing downs. While he will likely continue to split carries, Mason still could be a good late-round draft pick.
Source: Rob Kleifield, Vikings.com
Source: Rob Kleifield, Vikings.com
Aaron Jones Sr. Could Land in Smaller Role
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. is expected to work in a timeshare this season in his team's backfield, but he could be in a smaller role than expected since his teammate Jordan Mason has been shining throughout preseason and training camp. Jones restructured his deal this offseason after posting 548 rushing yards and 199 receiving yards with three total touchdowns last year. The 31-year-old running back will still be involved, but he could be limited, with Mason taking more of the lead. Jones does still have value and is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 44 RB, but Mason is No. 35 in those rankings and seems to be on the rise, making Jones a higher-risk pick best left as a deep-league option or backup emergency fill-in.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Mason Showcasing Improved Explosiveness in Training Camp
Minnesota Vikings 27-year-old running back Jordan Mason continues to generate positive reviews from training camp thus far, with reports that he has shown better conditioning and improved explosiveness, and that head coach Kevin O'Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Philips have both been speaking highly of his physical transformation and mindset as he enters his second season with the Vikings. During the 2025 season, Mason rushed for 758 yards and six touchdowns on 159 carries. He contributed a small amount through the air, hauling in 14 of his 16 passes for 51 yards as well. Mason had a solid 4.77 YPC last season, and with Aaron Jones Sr. now 31 years old and the Vikings wanting to run more of a vertical wide-zone run scheme, Mason appears to be the preferred running back option to take in fantasy in what is projected to be a top-half offense. Mason finished last season as the RB35, aligning with RotoBallers' current ranks of RB35.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
More RB3 Reps For Demond Claiborne
Minnesota Vikings running back Demond Claiborne appears to have a solid hold of the RB3 role after starting Friday's game against the Denver Broncos. The rookie rushed eight times for only 21 yards in a 34-6 loss, but he played alongside a heavily limited Vikings offense that played mostly reserves, including fourth quarterback Max Brosmer for most of the night. Neither Aaron Jones Sr. nor Jordan Mason played, but Claiborne featured first without them, suggesting he'll be the third running back ahead of special teams ace Zavier Scott. Claiborne, who also returned kicks Friday, is mostly a dynasty stash for now, but he could be a waiver wire factor in redraft leagues should either Mason or Jones miss extended time.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordan Mason Keeps Climbing in Redraft Leagues
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason continues to look like more than just Aaron Jones Sr.'s backup. Mason rushed for 758 yards and six touchdowns on 159 carries last season, and Minnesota doesn't appear interested in pushing him back into a minor role. The team's current unofficial depth chart lists Jones OR Mason at running back, and the preseason opener looked a lot like a real split. Jones got three carries on the opening drive against the Giants. Mason got three as well, picking up 17 yards with a long run of 15. There are still reasons Jones will matter plenty, especially on passing downs. He caught 28 passes last year while Mason finished with only 14 receptions for 51 yards. Mason doesn't need to take over the backfield to pay off in drafts, though. RotoBaller had him at RB38 in its Aug. 24 rankings, and his early-down role already gives him usable standalone value. If Jones misses time, the ceiling jumps quickly. Mason's arrow is pointing up heading into the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Should Aaron Jones Sr. Be Off Fantasy Radars for 2026?
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. is entering his 10th season in the NFL and will remain with the Vikings after restructuring his contract in March. The 31-year-old will be splitting snaps with Jordan Mason for a second season, as they were listed as co-starters on the team's unofficial depth chart. Jones is expected to be the primary back on passing downs while Mason will be the lead back on early downs. The team deployed a similar plan last year with the two backs, and Jones finished as the RB41 overall in PPR leagues while averaging 9.9 points per game. RotoBaller has the former fantasy star ranked as the RB44 in full PPR formats and should be viewed as a low-end RB4 with limited upside in redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Demond Claiborne Appears Locked into RB3 Role
Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Demond Claiborne totaled eight carries for 18 yards and added seven yards through the air in the 13-3 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Claiborne has been inefficient in both preseason games, averaging just 2.6 yards per carry on 20 carries. However, the sixth-round pick played all 19 snaps with J.J. McCarthy and the second-team offense, while Zavier Scott entered the game afterward. While both veterans Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason are expected to handle the backfield early in the season, Claiborne offers more speed and explosiveness than the other two. Injuries will likely be needed for the rookie to find the field this season, but Claiborne is a player to keep an eye on.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordan Mason Standing Out at Training Camp
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason has been one of the top performers in Vikings' camp, according to The Athletic's Alec Lewis. Despite continuing to share work with Aaron Jones, Mason has been able to show off good burst and is fitting well into the offense. He ripped off a long run in the joint practice against the Ravens on Wednesday and could earn an expanded role if he continues to mesh well with new quarterback Kyler Murray. In addition to the new QB, the Vikings overhauled the outside zone run scheme to be closer to what Mason excelled in during his time in San Francisco. After running for 758 yards and six touchdowns last year, Mason could be even more effective in his second season with the Vikings. He's currently ranked as the No. 37 RB in RotoBaller's rankings, but the reports from camp have him on the rise, with the potential to outperform that rating if he can claim a larger portion of the timeshare.
Source: Alec Lewis
Source: Alec Lewis
Demond Claiborne Leads Vikings In Rushing Saturday
Running back Demond Claiborne of the Minnesota Vikings earned a team-high 12 carries for 34 yards in the club's preseason opener against the New York Giants. Playing mostly behind the Vikings' backups on the offensive line, Claiborne still showed some juice despite limited space to run, including a nine-yard burst that gained a first down to set up Minnesota's lone touchdown. The rookie will begin the season behind Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason, though his impressive speed and receiving potential give him a chance to win playing time in a backfield with two veterans on expiring deals. Claiborne, a sixth-round pick, has serious long-term potential in dynasty formats, but he also could be a high-priority waiver candidate in redraft leagues if either Jones or Mason misses extended time.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordan Mason Sharp In Limited Action
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason continued a strong summer on Saturday against the New York Giants with 17 yards on three carries in the first-team offense's only drive of the day. The second-year Viking has been impressive in training camp as the club appears to be headed for a split backfield that includes veteran Aaron Jones Sr. With just 28 receptions in his past three seasons -- and Jones still the Vikings' top choice on passing downs -- Mason's ceiling will be somewhat limited by his lack of passing game work, particularly in PPR leagues. A popular choice for the zeroRB strategy, however, Mason has 1,000-yard potential and a pathway to regular goal-line touches on a talented offense, all from a mid-round ADP.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordan Mason's Solid Summer Continues
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason has been lauded throughout training camp as an offensive standout, and on a Wednesday practice in which the running game was clicking, he was once again credited with the play of the day by team writer Rob Kleifield. Taking advantage of perfectly executed blocking against the second-team defense, he showed off some burst and ran untouched for a long score. The 230-pounder also displayed physicality and balance on a big gain against the starting defense. On a day when Mason and Aaron Jones Sr. were listed as co-starters on the Vikings' first unofficial depth chart, both players were credited by Kleifield with productive outings. Ever a standout pass-catcher, Jones is now 31 years old, and there is at least some expectation that the two backs could settle into clearly defined roles for 2026, with Mason the between-the-tackles bruiser and Jones as more of a passing-downs specialist, potentially providing fantasy managers with matchup-based clues on when to lean on either. Gaining steam throughout training camp, Mason has risen to RB36 by current ADP.
Source: Rob Kleifield
Source: Rob Kleifield
Aaron Jones Sr. Listed as Co-Starter on Unofficial Depth Chart
Minnesota Vikings running backs Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason are listed as co-starters on the team's unofficial depth chart. Both backs split carries nearly evenly last season, with Jones averaging 11 carries per game and Mason averaging 9.9. However, the tides are turning at Vikings' training camp, with most sideline reporters saying Mason looks like the clear RB1 and that he's "taking a leap" in camp. The former 49ers' back averaged 4.8 yards per carry in 2025, while the former Packer posted a career-low 4.2 yards per carry. With Mason looking like he could handle goal-line work and receive more carries overall, Jones is likely too high a price in 2026. While the offense is set to improve with Kyler Murray at quarterback, Jones may still not have the workload to live up to his ADP in 2026.
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Mason a Standout Throughout Vikings Camp
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason led the team in rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns in 2025, and after arriving at training camp in exceptional shape, he's drawn the praise of beat reporters throughout the summer, with The Athletic's Alec Lewis the most recent to label him as a camp standout. Listing Mason as one of four running backs to make the team in his latest 53-man roster projection, Lewis points out the explosiveness he's shown in team drills while also acknowledging the trust that head coach Kevin O'Connell has in veteran Aaron Jones Sr. Jones is now 31 years old and missed five games in 2025, so the team could opt to keep him fresh in his 10th season by limiting some of his between-the-tackles touches and using him more in the passing game, opening an opportunity for Mason to claim the bulk of early-down and goal-line work. At RotoBaller's RB37, Mason is a late-round target with double-digit touchdown potential in what should be an improved Vikings offense.
Source: Alec Lewis - The Athletic
Source: Alec Lewis - The Athletic
Demond Claiborne Building Momentum and Seeing More Work
Minnesota Vikings sixth-round rookie running back Demond Claiborne missed some time early in camp with an undisclosed ailment that left him working on a side field, but he had the play of the day on Saturday, outrunning the defense for a 60-yard score after making a move at the point of attack. The touchdown came with mostly backups on the field, but Claiborne has stood out in recent days through his heavy involvement as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield, occasionally even mixing in with the first-team offense. He has also shown juice in the return game, and he's a player who could impress in the team's first preseason game on August 15. Still firmly behind Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones Sr. on the depth chart, Claiborne offers little standalone value for 2026, but showcasing multiple paths to fantasy relevance, he could find his way into waiver conversations by season's end while remaining a worthwhile dynasty stash.
Source: Rob Klelfield
Source: Rob Klelfield
Jordan Mason Looking Good in Training Camp
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason has been a standout at training camp and looks poised for a big 2026 season. According to the Purple Daily Podcast, Mason looks better than Jones, and "the way [Mason] is moving around, the way that he runs. I really like Jordan Mason as a fit in the new run scheme that the Vikings have with their new wide zone concepts." Last season, Mason totaled 758 rushing yards and six touchdowns in 16 games, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, while Jones averaged 4.2 yards per carry. While Mason doesn't offer much in the passing game, any improvement there could boost his stock, especially if the team improves on their abysmal showing in 2025. Ranked RB37 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, Mason is a great value that could easily top his current price this season.
Source: Purple Daily Podcast
Source: Purple Daily Podcast
