As the Minnesota Vikings prepare to face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week 15, fantasy football enthusiasts are closely analyzing the potential contributions of running backs Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason. The Vikings recently halted a four-game losing streak, improving to 5-8, with the return of quarterback J.J. McCarthy from injury.
In their upcoming matchup against the Cowboys, who have allowed the fourth most fantasy points to running backs this season, both Jones and Mason may play crucial roles. However, the question remains: which player might deliver more value for fantasy managers?
Aaron Jones has been managing a shoulder injury sustained in Week 9, and this has impacted his participation in practices throughout the week. Last week against the Commanders, he played 45% of the snaps, recording 14 carries for 76 yards and earning 7.6 fantasy points. Notably, this marked Jones’s fourth consecutive week without a touchdown, a concern for those relying on him. Although he has consistently been more involved in the Vikings’ backfield—averaging 9.3 fantasy points per game this season—his lower ceiling limits his appeal.
On the other hand, Jordan Mason displayed a solid performance despite limited snap counts. In the same game against Washington, he registered 11 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown in just 30% of the snaps, bringing his season total to six touchdowns. While Mason’s impressive early-season performance included a notable 26.6 fantasy points in Week 3 against the Bengals, he has since struggled to replicate such success, failing to surpass 14 fantasy points in subsequent weeks.
The current landscape suggests that both running backs possess certain value, especially considering the favorable matchup against the Cowboys. However, their presence may hinder each other’s production. If Jones is fit to play, he is expected to lead the backfield; however, Mason could snatch some goal-line opportunities given his recent touchdown success.
In daily fantasy formats, such as those on DraftKings, Jones is a cheaper option at $6,200, while Mason is priced at $7,200 in FLEX spots. Given his recent activity, Jones may present a good value play, particularly if he can re-emerge as a receiving threat and find the end zone. As it stands, he edges out Mason as the preferred choice for fantasy managers, provided his shoulder injury does not limit his performance on the field.