Sports
One Viking Just Climbed to the Top of the Depth Chart
On Sunday, the first reports of an impending divorce between the Vikings and veterans Aaron Jones and Javon Hargrave forewarned Skol Nation of the incoming roster shakeup needed to get under the salary cap.
Jones’ expected departure will leave the Vikings a runner short in the backfield, with only Jordan Mason under contract for the upcoming season, and no developmental player waiting for his chance.
Of course, interim GM Rob Brzezinski could acquire a back in the Draft or in free agency, but until the front office makes that move, the running game is Mason’s show.
Mason arrived in the Twin Cities last offseason in exchange for a 6th-round Draft pick. In his first season in purple, Mason tabulated 758 rushing yards and 51 as a pass-catcher. He’s not known for his receiving ability, but as a bruiser in the ground game. The back found the endzone six times, leading the Vikings in touchdowns.
His most productive stretch came without Jones in the lineup, who missed a total of five games last season. Five of his six strongest yardage outputs transpired without Jones stealing his carries. The duo was built to form a one-two punch and it’s fair to expect the Vikings to do the same this offseason by signing or drafting another ball carrier.
Still, handing Mason a bigger role might not be the worst idea. Even behind Minnesota’s subpar offensive line and despite getting minimal help from the passing game, Mason secured 4.8 yards per carry. His downhill running style has been a nice change of pace for the Vikings’ running game.
Last offseason, head coach Kevin O’Connell said about his new weapon, “We really felt what we were looking for was right before our very eyes. You know, a heavy slash runner, tough to tackle, gets in space and has burst and explosion to finish runs. And also a guy that probably doesn’t get enough credit in his pass protection and just every-down versatility.”
Pass protection remains an area of inconsistency, but O’Connell’s assessment of his physical running style proved accurate.
Among 49 RBs with at least 100 carries, Mason ranked 6th in success rate and 3rd in explosive rush percentage. He also generated the 6th-most yards over expected per rush.
All of that came after a season in which Mason was the lead back for half the season in San Francisco. Due to Christian McCaffrey’s injury, he was asked to be a key piece of Kyle Shanahan’s offense, and he displayed comparably strong efficiency numbers.
What stands out most about Mason’s profile is sustainability. His efficiency wasn’t built on gadget plays or broken coverages. He consistently generated positive yardage between the tackles and forced defenders to bring extra help. That kind of production tends to translate year over year.
Of course, workload is the final unknown. Mason has never handled a full 17-game lead-back assignment in Minnesota. Durability and consistency over a larger sample size remain untested variables. But based on last season’s production, the opportunity — at least temporarily — appears earned rather than gifted.
Though he has never entered a season as a lead back, this year could be different for Mason. The running back Draft class only features one bona-fide star rusher in Jeremiyah Love and the Vikings likely aren’t in reach to grab him in the 1st round.
Free agency is a different story. Though Breece Hall isn’t expected to become a free agent, the class is still loaded with talent, headlined by Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker or 2021 1st-rounder Travis Etienne.
Players such as Rico Dowdle, Kenneth Gainwell, Tyler Allgeier, or JK Dobbins could be committee backs next to Mason.
Minnesota is almost certain to add competition before Week 1. But as the roster currently stands, Jordan Mason is the clear frontrunner to handle lead-back duties. Whether that role lasts through the summer or into the regular season will depend on what the Vikings do next.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
