2025 NFL Free Agency and Draft: RB

MaroonBells wrote:

While I tend to like people who challenge convention, not to mention the world's most perfect example of groupthink, 10 is pretty ridiculous. He also has Jalen Milroe as his QB2. I guess he didn't see the Senior Bowl.

Having Milroe as your QB2 should be all you need to know about his rankings.

Another reason to like Henderson. Great speed and vision, ranks high in yards after contact (he's not a big guy), catches the ball well, probably the best pass blocker in this class....AND he doesn't fumble. 

Two things were true about the Minnesota running game in 2024: Aaron Jones was very good and the running game had some serious deficiencies. Jones ran for over 1,100 yards and caught 51 passes while averaging 5.1 yards per touch. The last time a Vikings running back was over 5.0 yards per touch was Dalvin Cook in 2020. From that perspective, Jones was a success.

However, the fact that Jones had to set a career high in touches was not ideal. They wanted Jordan Mason to allow Jones to be the best version of himself.

“The big thing we learned about Aaron Jones is that he can be an every-down back…but what we wanted to make sure we were doing is using him in a way that allows him to be his most impactful self, which is early-down runs, pass game, he has third-down value,” O’Connell said. “When he has historically had that 1A, 1B backfield structure, he can be a total game-changer every time he touches the ball. It was always about bringing Aaron back. Huge leadership role on our team. He assumed that from Day 1. But what are we going to pair him with?”

O’Connell is referring to Jones’s time in Green Bay in which he averaged 12.1 carries per game and 5.0 yards per carry as opposed to 15.0 carries per game in 2024 and 4.5 YPC.

The Vikings didn’t just like the fact that Mason had the potential to give Jones a rest, they viewed him as a thunder to Jones’s lightning.

“Heavy runner, slash runner, tough to tackle, gets into space and has burst and explosion to finish runs,” O’Connell said. “Also a guy that doesn’t get enough credit for his pass protection, just every-down versatility. We really aren’t pigeonholed into any particular scheme or in the run or pass phase.”

Where Mason can greatly improve the Vikings’ running game is in short-yardage, where they struggled immensely in 2024.

“I think Jordan’s going to bring something to the table in short-yardage situations, goal-line situations, goal-to-go, where we really left a lot to be desired as a football team and that starts with me to improve in that area because we certainly improved personnel wise,” O’Connell said.

https://www.si.com/nfl/raiders-gm-feeling-pressure-draft-rb-ashton-jeanty-surprising-source

supafreak84 wrote:
https://www.si.com/nfl/raiders-gm-feeling-pressure-draft-rb-ashton-jeanty-surprising-source

I dont think he gets past Raiders. That pairing is as frequent in mocks as the Penn St TE to The Colts is. 

Addison + #1 this year (and #1 or #2 next year) for Jeanty at 6???

Id probably do that trade.

purplefaithful wrote:

I dont think he gets past Raiders. That pairing is as frequent in mocks as the Penn St TE to The Colts is. 

Addison + #1 this year (and #1 or #2 next year) for Jeanty at 6???

Id probably do that trade.

Was listening to NFL Radio yesterday and they were discussing the Raiders draft and to not be surprised, with as much as Pete Carroll loves drafting DB's, to see them take Barron at #6.

Career yards after contact per rush if only including runs where initial contact occurred at or behind the line of scrimmage:

Clearly illustrated by Kalel Mullings, "stuff rate" does not tell the whole story.

Mullings was proficient at avoiding losses and creating small wins.… https://t.co/Ent7U5PIrm pic.twitter.com/HckcZXvziE

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) April 2, 2025

supafreak84 wrote:

Was listening to NFL Radio yesterday and they were discussing the Raiders draft and to not be surprised, with as much as Pete Carroll loves drafting DB's, to see them take Barron at #6.

Spytek’s son told him to draft Jeanty or he’s leaving the family. Pete’s opinion probably holds more weight.

Nobody gives a shit about Jordan James?!

- GOAT name
- Does the cool stand-up-straight thing pre-snap
- More efficient than your favorite RB https://t.co/1GzUsvWOX7 pic.twitter.com/gT3VAksvHz

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) April 2, 2025

Ignore the goofy shades

JustInTime wrote:
Two things were true about the Minnesota running game in 2024: Aaron Jones was very good and the running game had some serious deficiencies. Jones ran for over 1,100 yards and caught 51 passes while averaging 5.1 yards per touch. The last time a Vikings running back was over 5.0 yards per touch was Dalvin Cook in 2020. From that perspective, Jones was a success.

However, the fact that Jones had to set a career high in touches was not ideal. They wanted Jordan Mason to allow Jones to be the best version of himself.

“The big thing we learned about Aaron Jones is that he can be an every-down back…but what we wanted to make sure we were doing is using him in a way that allows him to be his most impactful self, which is early-down runs, pass game, he has third-down value,” O’Connell said. “When he has historically had that 1A, 1B backfield structure, he can be a total game-changer every time he touches the ball. It was always about bringing Aaron back. Huge leadership role on our team. He assumed that from Day 1. But what are we going to pair him with?”

O’Connell is referring to Jones’s time in Green Bay in which he averaged 12.1 carries per game and 5.0 yards per carry as opposed to 15.0 carries per game in 2024 and 4.5 YPC.

The Vikings didn’t just like the fact that Mason had the potential to give Jones a rest, they viewed him as a thunder to Jones’s lightning.

“Heavy runner, slash runner, tough to tackle, gets into space and has burst and explosion to finish runs,” O’Connell said. “Also a guy that doesn’t get enough credit for his pass protection, just every-down versatility. We really aren’t pigeonholed into any particular scheme or in the run or pass phase.”

Where Mason can greatly improve the Vikings’ running game is in short-yardage, where they struggled immensely in 2024.

“I think Jordan’s going to bring something to the table in short-yardage situations, goal-line situations, goal-to-go, where we really left a lot to be desired as a football team and that starts with me to improve in that area because we certainly improved personnel wise,” O’Connell said.

Jones put up some nice stats last year, great locker room guy and he's old. 
Luv the Mason pick for all the reasons KOC states.
Neither one does what a Gibbs can do on the field or give a DC sleepless nights 
24 is a little high for Henderson, but he is explosive and a field tilter - something we dont have in Jones or Mason
 - not pimping him over a DT or CB, but he may be higher ranked than anyone at those positions by 24, OROY ceiling in this offense, JJM best friend after Darrisaw and JJ

I've watched four Jaydon Blue games. This run perfectly encapsulates what I've seen lol 👇

1. Vision, tempo, and block-setting
2. Nearly falls down running with weight too high and over his toes, 4.38 speed allows him to still almost pull away
3. Fumbles lol

There's definitely… https://t.co/rN42KGSAiP pic.twitter.com/7Vp1vZtTHU

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) April 3, 2025

Running Back prospects splits vs stacked boxes pic.twitter.com/VggmE0Yyy6

— Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) April 3, 2025

This pitch count thing for Jones is weird. They probably could have got him down to 12 attempts a game if they just let a different RB take some carries in the second half when we were in the 4 minute drill with a healthy lead. It’s not like we really needed to upgrade RB2 or RB3 to lighten his load. There were more than a few games where I was commenting, “Why is Jones still out there?”

I also doubt those 3 carries were really hampering his ypc. I’d guess our OLine talent and subpar rushing scheme had much more to do with his ypc than 3 extra carries.

Haven’t watched the All-22 yet, but we will to get it over in the @DynastyNerds film room in the coming weeks.

However, 6’ 215 lb RB Lan Larison @LanLarison looks like a beast. 4.46 40. Former wrestler with great contact balance. Over 2,300 total yard this szn.

Oh and this👇 pic.twitter.com/NBsKwprNb4

— Garret Price (@DynastyPrice) April 4, 2025

Omarion Hampton had #34 from NC State in hell for 3 straight plays. pic.twitter.com/gIB6SOjGDM

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) April 3, 2025

Omarion Hampton being aggressive in pass protection. Takes it to the defender and closes space quickly. pic.twitter.com/xyEi0VyVvs

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) April 3, 2025

LeQuint Allen has superpowers near the goal line! pic.twitter.com/wdPe6tmhpJ

— Dynasty Nerds (@DynastyNerds) April 3, 2025

Omarion Hampton is such a good example of a RB getting rewarded for reading his keys. LB overruns the pullers, Hampton stays north and he's off. https://t.co/8gtIKuenjD pic.twitter.com/ghe0kGxDoc

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) April 3, 2025

RB1b

Damien Martinez is my RB sleeper for 2025.https://t.co/FtZ86XtuzQ pic.twitter.com/6V0z4IyQBj

— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) April 3, 2025

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/haydenwinks/status/1907819519260897698?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

Damien Martinez continues to show up in metric after metric. He has better lateral agility than both Kaleb Johnson and Hampton IMO. I doubt he's in the cards for us, though, considering Mason is a similar kind of back. I think if the Vikings take a back it will be a 3-down speedster like Henderson or Harvey.

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/haydenwinks/status/1907819519260897698?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

This guy right here will be the real deal in the NFL. Been watching him a lot and he just has it. Give you props to have been on him as long as you were, when I didn't even look at him.

MaroonBells wrote:

Damien Martinez continues to show up in metric after metric. He has better lateral agility than both Kaleb Johnson and Hampton IMO. I doubt he's in the cards for us, though, considering Mason is a similar kind of back. I think if the Vikings take a back it will be a 3-down speedster like Henderson or Harvey.

Me personally, it is Harvey. I like the angle with Mason that Martinez is a similar back. I think Martinez will be a good one in the NFL, but I would be all about Harvey. Henderson? The more and more I get into the RBs, Henderson would be a perfect get. I wouldn't even mind if it were at 24 at this point. That is how good I think Henderson is. Such an underrated strength that Henderson has that so many don't talk about, is that he is the best blocking RB in the class and probably in the last handful of years.

MaroonBells wrote:

Damien Martinez continues to show up in metric after metric. He has better lateral agility than both Kaleb Johnson and Hampton IMO. I doubt he's in the cards for us, though, considering Mason is a similar kind of back. I think if the Vikings take a back it will be a 3-down speedster like Henderson or Harvey.

Well, we got Mason for 2 years. He’d be nearly 28 when his next, potentially larger contract is up. I’m of a mind we go with 4 RBs this year on the roster so Martinez and Tuten give you a thunder and lightning combo for a bit longer than Jones and Mason. 

Plus, Martinez is such a karma pick.

Running backs with 30+ career avoided tackles on receptions to be drafted since 2017

Yeah, this class is loaded https://t.co/UqGsSyGlKz pic.twitter.com/WV2t0oDpKp

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) April 4, 2025

Harvey is also showing up on every metric.

If we somehow pass on RB this year, there’s two guys at Penn State I would not mind next year.

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1908162453307081045?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

Harvey is also showing up on every metric.

If we somehow pass on RB this year, there’s two guys at Penn State I would not mind next year.

Here is RB1 next year. Dude is just different

supafreak84 wrote:

Here is RB1 next year. Dude is just different

Yes he is...

They're entertaining as hell, but he's gotta knock off the hurdles!

Damien Martinez at 230+ pounds legally should not be able to move laterally like that pic.twitter.com/GN7Ug8YlA6

— FFSnoog | Fantasy Football (@FFSnoog) January 30, 2025

supafreak84 wrote:

Here is RB1 next year. Dude is just different

There’s a couple guys I really want to watch next year. Love. The 2 backs from Penn State. And Branch from USC. For starters.

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/ffsnoog/status/1884763111015551027?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

There’s a couple guys I really want to watch next year. Love. The 2 backs from Penn State. And Branch from USC. For starters.

Love is like a supercharged LeSean McCoy. Just a beast. He busted off that 98 yard TD run in the playoff game against Indiana on a hurt knee. Played the entire playoff with that knee in a brace. He'll be a Heisman candidate this year. 

I was surprised both Penn State guys returned to school, but probably a good move with the draft talent in this RB crop. I'm sure they were well compensated to return