A. Jones

I think KOC just wants the threat of a running game, but isn't going to pound the rock consistently because he's a former QB who loves throwing the football and that's where our bread is buttered with Jefferson, Addison, and Hock. So Jones's lack of overall production isn't surprising. What I love about Jones though is he adds an explosive element to the offense and catches the ball well. It will be interesting to see what the Vikings do at running back this offseason

I'd love to improve the RB room too, I'm just not sure how. We have a first round pick and two fifths. Of the guys drafted in the fifth or later this past year, only Tyrone Tracy has shown anything at all as a rookie. In other words, not better than Jones.

Sure the teams can get creative and maneuver the draft board but we have very few picks this year. The answer to every roster question can't be, "draft one!"

Unfortunately free agency isn't any better.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/_/year/2025/position/rb

On this list of the best upcoming free agent running backs available, guess who's #1? Aaron Jones. Again... not an improvement over Aaron Jones, ha.

For an area that KO hasn't seem to prioritize as much, I'm curious to see what they do in 2025. It's been pretty patchwork lately. I'm expecting more of the same.

I believe his contract was written to easily extend him, if he remains relatively healthy, I’d bring him back. Health, obviously being the key, as he’s quite productive & a great teammate too.

I wouldn't say it's pedestrian. YPC is average, but he's got over 1,200 total yards and 6 TDs. He's still a very productive RB and like Supa said, he adds an explosive element to our running game. For an offense that is always going to be at least a 60/40 pass to run ratio, we need that big play ability out of our running game because frankly they aren't going to get the same amount of opportunities.

I'd like to see us add another young RB not to replace Aaron Jones, but to replace Cam Akers and be the guy to take the lead role from Aaron Jones in a year or two.

Jones has much more on the positive side of the ledger than negative. He's very good at catching passes, 37 completions from 43 targets, 302 yds. with 8.2 yard average. He also can pick up the blitz. Both crucial attributes in a passing offense.
He sees the hole better than most running backs, and though he doesn't have top end speed he is very quick and explosive.
He's had 3 fumbles, 2 were punch outs by the defense and he's been banged up. He's tough he went out and played with bruised ribs and a bad hip and played pretty well. He is a great team player and gives great effort.
Season isn't over and the Vikings have almost 300 yards more rushing than they did all of last season.
If they find someone better, then so be it. If not, I hope he is back again next season.

I don’t think RB is ever going to be a focal point of our offense, nor is it going to be a position we invest heavily in. KOC loves to pass. He doesn’t love to run. You’re just not going to get value with a RB. I think if anything, we’d invest in our running game by upgrading our OLine rather than upgrading our RB. I also think Jones ability to run high quality pass routes is something that KOC values highly. I think it’s much more likely that we invest a high draft pick in replacing Addison (who we probably won’t be able to afford) than it is that we draft a RB with a high pick.

2025 draft is loaded with RB's

Jones' replacement will likely come via the draft

StickierBuns wrote:

Too bad we don't have more Draft picks.

We can get Day 2 and 3 draft picks by trading out of the first round.  We'll be able to get more draft picks if we want.

Mattyman wrote:
2025 draft is loaded with RB's

Jones' replacement will likely come via the draft

Best year for RB in many years. I'd be willing to bet our first two picks in the draft (a 1st and a 3rd round comp) will be CB and RB. Just not sure of the order. That will likely depend on where the value is at each position and what we do in free agency.

Aaron Jones Sr. became just the third player to reach 1,000 rushing yards in his first season with the Vikings, joining Adrian Peterson (1,341 in 2007) and Chester Taylor (1,216 in 2006).#MINvsSEA | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/6LURcqQxhC

— Vikings Communications (@VikingsPR) December 22, 2024

StickierBuns wrote:
Jones has been getting 4.5 yards a clip and has scored 5 TDs.....not bad, but not great either. 42 receptions for another 2 TDs. He's definitely a part of the offense, but not a big part. Nothing to complain about at all but also not very many noticeable plays either.

I just wish we could run the ball more efficiently when we really have to - whether its a 3rd or 4th and short or 2:12 left on the clock. I never expect a KOC offense to look like what the Ravens, Steelers or Eagles run, but I think KOC forgets about it too soon and too often. 

One of my few criticisms of the play calling.

MAD GAINZ wrote:
I wouldn't say it's pedestrian. YPC is average, but he's got over 1,200 total yards and 6 TDs.  He's still a very productive RB and like Supa said, he adds an explosive element to our running game.  For an offense that is always going to be at least a 60/40 pass to run ratio, we need that big play ability out of our running game because frankly they aren't going to get the same amount of opportunities.

I'd like to see us add another young RB not to replace Aaron Jones, but to replace Cam Akers and be the guy to take the lead role from Aaron Jones in a year or two.

I was thinking the exact same thing.  A two-headed monster would be ideal, and frankly, Cam Akers, while he has performed reasonably well, does not make defenses quake in their boots.  I know its wishful thinking, but I start salivating when I hear that Boise State's Ashton Jeanty is not going to be a top 10 pick and may fall down in the first round.