Open Nav
Show Navigation
Show Menu
FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

Vikings To Run More in 2024?

By Jared Smola | Updated on Thu, Aug 1 2024 1:59 PM UTC
Aaron Jones Headshot

Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell suggested that his team might run the ball more this season than the last two. Minnesota ranked third and second in pass rate the past two years, with QB Kirk Cousins at the controls for most of that time. Now with a QB room of Sam Darnold and rookie J.J. McCarthy, it'd certainly make sense for the Vikings to lean more on the run game in 2024.

What They're Saying

"We’re gonna run the football, and we want to establish it," O'Connell said.

2024 Fantasy Football Impact

The Vikings registered 64.0% and 63.3% pass rates the past two years. We currently project them at 59.8% this season -- a significant shift that would result in more fantasy value in the backfield. Minnesota finished 31st in total RB PPR points last year but should rank much higher in 2024.

Exactly how those RB points will be distributed is still unclear. O'Connell talked up both Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler, while confirming that this will be a committee backfield.

On Aaron Jones: "He’s unique. He’s dynamic. ... I think when he’s been at his best throughout his career, you’ve seen that other guy. That AJ Dillon, [Jamaal] Williams. ... And that allows him to be a featured, all-three-down back."

On Ty Chandler: "I have a ton of confidence in Ty Chandler ... We feel really, really good about Ty Chandler."

On a committee backfield: "I'm excited to see both those guys. Because I do think they're different. I do think they have different skill sets. But at the same time, we can run the same offense with both of them."

Jones sits well ahead of Chandler in the RB rankings but is going seven rounds earlier in fantasy drafts. That has Chandler as the much better value, according to ADP Market Index.

Jared Smola Author Image
Jared Smola, Lead Analyst
Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and My Team tools. He currently ranks sixth among 158 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.
5 Rookie Prospects NFL Scouts Were Wrong About

5 Rookie Prospects NFL Scouts Were Wrong About

3:23am UTC 5/9/25

NFL teams draft on traits. You draft for fantasy points — and our SHARK rookie model shows which players can actually deliver them. Here are 5 rookies the NFL got wrong.

Read More »
Yahoo Fantasy Football: 4 Strategies to Win

Yahoo Fantasy Football: 4 Strategies to Win

9:36pm UTC 5/8/25

What's different about Yahoo fantasy football than other formats? We've got 4 important strategies to help you crush your league mates this season. (Updated 2025)

Read More »
Fantasy Points | Fantasy Football Points Scoring Systems

Fantasy Points | Fantasy Football Points Scoring Systems

8:49pm UTC 5/8/25

Whether you're new to fantasy football or trying to learn about a specific format, we've got all the info you need on fantasy points scoring systems. (Updated 2025)

Read More »
Compare Plans » Compare Plans »