Vikings trade for Jordan Mason

IJustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/thevikingage/status/1901080785903644905?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

Jordan Mason faced the highest rate of stacked boxes in the NFL last season (8+ defenders).

Despite this, he still managed to rank 3rd in rush yards over expectation per attempt and 10th in yards after contact per attempt.

The Vikings got a DAWG 🔥

— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) March 16, 2025

LMAO GIBBS WHO pic.twitter.com/3aCQuqZ6Fq

— Cam (@42Cyc) March 16, 2025

We didn’t get a Dawg, we got a GT Yellow Jacket!

Love this trade.

Speaking of Gibbs, Jordan and Jhmyr were teammates in ‘21 @ GT.

45.4%

We ran the ball 45.4% last year. 

I think that is going to change

JustInTime wrote:
45.4%

We ran the ball 45.4% last year. 

I think that is going to change

As it should, especially with a rook at QB. But it's KOC we're talking about here lol. Maybe that'll go to 45.9%???

I'm thinking of those 3rd/4th down and short situations, red zone running futilities from 24...

I have no pre-tenses this guy solves everything, but him + the OL improvements? Thats a big deal.

I'm still figuring this out from the 49'ers perspective; They gained just a 6th round pick and moved-up a few slots in this years 6th. 

Was this about $$$? Was it the 2nd round tender they placed on him? The $5.3mm tender that resulted in?

As soon as I saw this last night, I thought "DAYUM"!!

I watched him in Game 2 against us and then again vs the Patriots last season. McCaffrey was injured. This kid ran for 100 yards against us, 123 yards, over, through, around the Patriots. He really opened my eyes to the "who is this guyyyy?"

Take RB off the draft needs list.

Kwesi is absolutely knocking FA out of the park.

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/thevikingage/status/1901080785903644905?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

Jordan Mason faced the highest rate of stacked boxes in the NFL last season (8+ defenders).

Despite this, he still managed to rank 3rd in rush yards over expectation per attempt and 10th in yards after contact per attempt.

The Vikings got a DAWG 🔥

— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) March 16, 2025

LMAO GIBBS WHO pic.twitter.com/3aCQuqZ6Fq

— Cam (@42Cyc) March 16, 2025

These are some pretty remarkable numbers. Being successful on runs where everyone in the building knows you're going to run is a valuable thing, and something we've struggled with for years.

purplefaithful wrote:

As it should, especially with a rook at QB. But it's KOC we're talking about here lol. Maybe that'll go to 45.9%???

I'm thinking of those 3rd/4th down and short situations, red zone running futilities from 24...

I have no pre-tenses this guy solves everything, but him + the OL improvements? Thats a big deal.

I'm still figuring this out from the 49'ers perspective; They gained just a 6th round pick and moved-up a few slots in this years 6th. 

Was this about $$$? Was it the 2nd round tender they placed on him? The $5.3mm tender that resulted in?

49ers need to get younger and cheaper since they are up against the cap.  Re-signing Mason wasn't in their long-term plans with CMC there so it's probably more of get something for him now and replace him with a rookie RB in a deep class.

I get the guy was leading the league in rushing after the first month of the season and showed some ability, but why make this move with a historically deep and talented running back draft coming up? We could of essentially had out choice (probably) out of any of them not named Jeanty. We could have had a rookie stud at the position on a 4 or 5 year contract but instead we get Mason for 2. I think this is a questionable move especially if we are passing up Omarion Hampton, Henderson etc in the draft because we made this move for Mason.

supafreak84 wrote:
I get the guy was leading the league in rushing after the first month of the season and showed some ability, but why make this move with a historically deep and talented running back draft coming up? We could of essentially had out choice (probably) out of any of them not named Jeanty. We could have had a rookie stud at the position on a 4 or 5 year contract but instead we get Mason for 2. I think this is a questionable move especially if we are passing up Omarion Hampton, Henderson etc in the draft because we made this move for Mason.

Why does adding Mason prevent us from taking a back in the draft? I think it better allows us to go BPA with our first pick, but I fully expect this team to draft a back.

MaroonBells wrote:

Why does adding Mason prevent us from taking a back in the draft? I think it better allows us to go BPA with our first pick, but I fully expect this team to draft a back.

I'd bet it reduces the possibility significantly (at least early) when the table was set perfectly for us to do so. Nobody ever accused Kwesi of being able to read a draft that's for sure.

supafreak84 wrote:

I'd bet it reduces the possibility significantly (at least early) when the table was set perfectly for us to do so. Nobody ever accused Kwesi of being able to read a draft that's for sure.

So adding some size and physicality to a RB room that desperately needed it, and doing that at virtually no cost, is a dumb move because it’s a good RB class?

Adding Mason puts us in a better position to take the best player available regardless of need. That really should be the goal of free agency for every GM.

supafreak84 wrote:
I get the guy was leading the league in rushing after the first month of the season and showed some ability, but why make this move with a historically deep and talented running back draft coming up? We could of essentially had out choice (probably) out of any of them not named Jeanty. We could have had a rookie stud at the position on a 4 or 5 year contract but instead we get Mason for 2. I think this is a questionable move especially if we are passing up Omarion Hampton, Henderson etc in the draft because we made this move for Mason.

I think all this does is puts us in position to go BPA. Jones is basically on a 1 year deal. Mason 2 years. If RB2 is on the board, which is dubious at best, we amplify a strong position. 

The other thing is rookies are still rookies. You don’t know for sure what they’re going to do at the next level with any certainty. We can speculate but a proven quantity who is young and cheap is a nice card going into the draft.

supafreak84 wrote:

I'd bet it reduces the possibility significantly (at least early) when the table was set perfectly for us to do so. Nobody ever accused Kwesi of being able to read a draft that's for sure.

Not following you here at all.  You add a horse for two years at virtually no cost and save a draft pick.  This guy is guaranteed to perform while a rookie is not.  We’re also dreadfully short of draft picks and have multiple needs. We got a cheap young player, hardly a bad move.  Lol

MaroonBells wrote:

So adding some size and physicality to a RB room that desperately needed it, and doing that at virtually no cost, is a dumb move because it’s a good RB class?

Adding Mason puts us in a better position to take the best player available regardless of need. That really should be the goal of free agency for every GM.

I just think in a historically loaded RB draft class, you don't address your need there by trading assets and handing out free agency money when you are positioned to land one of the elite prospects in the draft on a rookie contract. It's called reading the strengths of a draft and projecting where those strengths land when building a roster. We did this same stupid shit when we signed Josh Oliver in a very deep TE draft. Like I said, nobody ever accused Kwesi on being able to identify and navigate the strengths of a draft board.

I agree, great move, Kwazy is killing it.

supafreak84 wrote:

I just think in a historically loaded RB draft class, you don't address your need there by trading assets and handing out free agency money when you are positioned to land one of the elite prospects in the draft on a rookie contract. It's called reading the strengths of a draft and projecting where those strengths land when building a roster. We did this same stupid shit when we signed Josh Oliver in a very deep TE draft. Like I said, nobody ever accused Kwesi on being able to identify and navigate the strengths of a draft board.

Trading away assets? Free agency money? Neither of those dogs hunt. Cmon. Those assets are on rounding error on a balance sheet. The money is at the bottom end of the 51 counting against the cap.

supafreak84 wrote:

I just think in a historically loaded RB draft class, you don't address your need there by trading assets and handing out free agency money when you are positioned to land one of the elite prospects in the draft on a rookie contract. It's called reading the strengths of a draft and projecting where those strengths land when building a roster. We did this same stupid shit when we signed Josh Oliver in a very deep TE draft. Like I said, nobody ever accused Kwesi on being able to identify and navigate the strengths of a draft board.

I like the Mason trade better than the Aaron Jones contract. If you want to be upset I personally would look that direction.

Regarding Chandler, if these two are healthy going into the year he will likely be PS or on another roster.

JustInTime wrote:

Trading away assets? Free agency money? Neither of those dogs hunt. Cmon. Those assets are on rounding error on a balance sheet. The money is at the bottom end of the 51 counting against the cap.

Did we not trade something for Mason and give him a 12 million dollar contract? Why even do it in the first place when we are positioned to grab one of the elite prospects at the position in the draft? If Kwesi uses the Mason acquisition as a reason NOT TO draft Omarion Hampton or Henderson on draft day so he can draft another safety....it's a bad move. Plain and simple. I think you are on that same wagon with me

supafreak84 wrote:

Did we not trade something for Mason and give him a 12 million dollar contract? Why even do it in the first place when we are positioned to grab one of the elite prospects at the position in the draft? If Kwesi uses the Mason acquisition as a reason NOT TO draft Omarion Hampton or Henderson on draft day so he can draft another safety....it's a bad move. Plain and simple. I think you are on that same wagon with me

Cmon. $12 is the maximum value. Half truths aren’t helping your argument. And we gave up a bag of used and soiled jocks in return. Please.

Why do it. Again, we go into the draft with no glaring need. Are we in position to acquire an elite RB? You’re positive Hampton and Henderson are going to be there at 24? I’d say it as likely that none are there. 

Weren’t you all in all Poles? I recall you loving the KC background.

supafreak84 wrote:
I get the guy was leading the league in rushing after the first month of the season and showed some ability, but why make this move with a historically deep and talented running back draft coming up? We could of essentially had out choice (probably) out of any of them not named Jeanty. We could have had a rookie stud at the position on a 4 or 5 year contract but instead we get Mason for 2. I think this is a questionable move especially if we are passing up Omarion Hampton, Henderson etc in the draft because we made this move for Mason.

Mason is a known commodity in the NFL.  More than that I don't think KOC values the ground game enough that the FO and he were going to use the first rounder on RB in a year with so few picks.

JustInTime wrote:

Cmon. $12 is the maximum value. Half truths aren’t helping your argument. And we gave up a bag of used and soiled jocks in return. Please.

Why do it. Again, we go into the draft with no glaring need. Are we in position to acquire an elite RB? You’re positive Hampton and Henderson are going to be there at 24? I’d say it as likely that none are there. 

Weren’t you all in all Poles? I recall you loving the KC background.

We gave up something to acquire him and gave him a new contract, right? Was it the worst compensation, no, but that's besides the point. We all know our illustrious GM has made some dubious draft day decisions, and if he uses the Mason acquisition as justification to bypass one of the elite talents at the position on draft day...it's a bad move, especially when we'd have that talent on a rookie contract. And I think there is a good chance at least one of those two backs I mentioned will likely still be on the board at #24. 

And the only thing I ever said about Ryan Poles was he took the Bears job because he likely didn't want to deal with the competitive rebuild mandates of the Wilfs and could have free reign to build the roster however he wanted. He was widely reported to be our top target for GM before he took the Bears job and we settled on Kwesi.  What does Ryan Poles have to do with anything?

bigbone62 wrote:

Mason is a known commodity in the NFL.  More than that I don't think KOC values the ground game enough that the FO and he were going to use the first rounder on RB in a year with so few picks.

I agree with you that KOC needs to be better about running the football. This is the year to take a RB though. Talent, value, in our draft wheelhouse...it was all there, but yes means nothing if KOC doesn't commit to it more. 

As far as Mason goes, he started out hot in a run first 49er offense and then didn't do much the rest of the year. Had an ankle injury and concussion. Coughed the ball up a bit. I mean it's certainly possible he's as much Alexander Mattison as he is David Montgomery. Not a big sample size to judge from, so he's not really a "known" commodity. I certainly hope he is everything they think he is and compliments Jones well.