Aaron Jones Week 1 Outlook - Vikings at Giants

By Derek Brown (FantasyPros), Wed, Sep 4th 2024, 8:38pm EDT

When Jones was FINALLY healthy last year, we saw the same back that we have come to love for fantasy over the years. In Weeks 15-20, Jones averaged 21.6 touches and 120.3 total yards as he was a weekly stud. During that same stretch, among 47 qualifying backs, he was eighth in explosive run rate and 10th in yards after contact per attempt. IF he can stay healthy (I KNOW it's a big if), he will be awesome in fantasy. The Vikings need another pass catcher to step up opposite Justin Jefferson. No, I don't think it will be Jordan Addison unless his target earning ability has jumped to another level this year. Jones could soak up routes and check-downs this season. Last year, he was still amazing in the passing game. Among 48 qualifying backs, he was sixth in TPRR, eighth in YPRR, and fourth in FD/RR. Jones should have a day on the ground against a run defense that allowed the second-highest explosive run rate, the eighth-highest yards after contact per attempt, and the fourth-most rushing yards per game. The Giants also surrendered the seventh-highest yards per reception to backs last season. Jones could flirt with RB1 numbers this week, but he's best viewed as a strong RB2.