Matt LaFleur on facing Vikings RB Aaron Jones: ‘He’s a problem. He looks really good’

The Packers will welcome back RB Aaron Jones when they face the Vikings on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

The Green Bay Packers will welcome back running back Aaron Jones to Lambeau Field for the first time during Sunday’s NFC North showdown with the Minnesota Vikings.

Coach Matt LaFleur knows facing Jones — who has 325 total yards and two touchdowns on 54 touches through the first three weeks — will be a big challenge.

“He’s a problem. He looks really good,” LaFleur said Monday.

Jones is averaging 5.4 yards per rush. His success rate as a rusher is 64.3. Twice in three games, Jones has produced over 100 total yards and a score for the unbeaten Vikings. According to Pro Football Focus, Jones had forced 12 missed tackles and is averaging over 2.0 yards per route run — highlighting his versatile playmaking ability.

LaFleur said Jones remains one of his “favorite” players.

The Packers released Jones — a favorite in both the locker room and fan base — after he refused a pay cut in March, replacing him at running back with veteran free agent Josh Jacobs. Through three weeks, Jacobs has 278 rushing yards and 303 total yards on 65 touches. Both Jacobs (sixth) and Jones (10th) rank in the top 10 for rushing yards entering Week 4. The Packers lead the entire NFL in rushing yards.

The battle at running back will be in the spotlight during Sunday’s important early season clash. The Packers are 2-1 and coming off back-to-back wins with Malik Willis under center, while the Vikings are 3-0 and one of the NFL’s surprise teams of 2024.

Jones is averaging 18 touches a game for the Vikings and continues to be a sparkplug and a playmaker.

In a league of youth at running back, Jones is a rare difference-maker. Through three weeks, Jones and Derrick Henry are the only players in their age-30 season with at least 100 rushing yards in the NFL.

It’s still early, but Jones is averaging 6.0 yards per touch for the Vikings, which would set a new career high.

Can the Packers contain their old friend on Sunday at Lambeau Field?

Vikings RB Aaron Jones recognizes Kevin O’Connell as a player coach

When speaking to the media on Wednesday, Jones mentioned that O’Connell sent him back out for another rushing attempt.

Vikings running back Aaron Jones tends to hit the century mark when accumulating rushing yards. He did it 20 times during his career in Green Bay with the Packers. Sunday was the second time in his career that he fell six yards short of it, though.

That shortcoming on Sunday, though, wasn’t without an extra attempt to do so, thanks to Kevin O’Connell.

When speaking to the media on Wednesday, Jones mentioned that O’Connell sent him back out for another rushing attempt before Myles Gasking took over late in the fourth quarter. While he only gained one yard on the run, the thoughtfulness wasn’t lost on the veteran running back.

“I really respect Kev for that, he left me in there. I seen Myles about to run in. It was kind of special to me. The players know coach, they know KOC because they see Myles about to come in, and then he stops and goes back off the field, and they look at me, and they’re like, ‘You must be close to a hundred, he’s gonna let you get hundred. I didn’t get it, but just to have that opportunity, a lot of people wouldn’t do that.”

O’Connell’s connection has proven to extend outside of the quarterback position. The entire roster means something to him, and that has been proven.

If Aaron Jones can hit 100 yards in most games to end the year, the entire offense will benefit. Controlling the time of possession is important to this team, so seeing it be a priority with everyone is nice.

Bobby Hebert calls Alvin Kamara a ‘young 29’ for a running back

Former Saints QB and WWL radio host Bobby Hebert still sees a burst in Alvin Kamara despite his age, calling him ‘a young 29’

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback and now WWL radio host, Bobby Hebert, had high praise for Alvin Kamara during the coaches show with Dennis Allen. Hebert called the running back “a young 29.”

At running back, the age of 30 is that point where people begin to mentally write off players. Hebert cautioned fans against doing that with Kamara. He still sees a player with a lot in the tank: “I’ve seen the burst in OTA’s in minicamps. I still think he can hit it and get it.”

Sunday’s performance backs that statement. Kamara ran for an easy 83 yards and didn’t run the ball in the final 18 minutes. It was still more yards than he ran for in a single game a year ago.

And when you look at how Kamara compares to other running backs who have made high-profile moves in free agency, it’s easy to think he could have a lot left in the tank. Kamara has carried the ball 1,330 times in his 102-game career. Josh Jacobs is catching up to him with 1,321 attempts through his first 74 games. Saquon Barkley is already up to 1,225 carries in just 75 games. Aaron Jones isn’t far behind at 1,191 attempts in 98 games. Derrick Henry is well ahead at 2,043 in 120 games.

Allen saw the same dynamic ability in the running backs room, and praised the offensive line’s performance: “There was a lot said about the offensive line going into the season, and rightfully so. It was a question mark because we had three new starters.”

In Week 1, the unit performed well. Allen has the team at 2.9 yards per carry before contact, first in the NFL. No matter who you play, that will always be a recipe for success.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Former Packers RB Aaron Jones scores TD, goes over 100 total yards in Vikings debut

The former Packers RB had a big debut with the Vikings in Week 1.

Former Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones enjoyed a productive debut during the Minnesota Vikings’ 28-6 win over the New York Giants in Week 1 on Sunday.

Jones, who was released by the Packers in March, bounced to the outside and raced into the end zone from three yards out to finish off the Vikings’ first touchdown drive of the 2024 season. In typical Jones fashion, he turned a modest number of touches — 16 — into 109 total yards. His 14 rushing attempts gained 94 yards and the score.

“I’m feeling great. This is a great way to start my journey with the Vikings, and as a team, we came and accomplished what we wanted to do,” Jones said post-game, per the team’s official site.

Jones had a 19-yard run and averaged 6.7 yards per attempt. He split time with Ty Chandler, who had eight rushing attempts and three catches.

Does this look familiar? Here’s Jones’ touchdown run:

https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1832833072183562431

Josh Jacobs, who replaced Jones as the new starting running back in Green Bay, carried 16 times for 84 yards, caught two passes for 20 yards and finished with 104 total yards during the Packers’ season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil.

Jacobs and the Packers face off against Jones and the Vikings in three weeks at Lambeau Field.

In other notable plays made by former Packers in the NFC North, safety Jonathan Owens returned a blocked punt for a touchdown as the Chicago Bears came back from 17-0 to beat the Tennessee Titans in Week 1. Owens returned a fumble for a touchdown as a member of the Packers last season.

WATCH: RB Aaron Jones scores first touchdown as a Viking

The former Green Bay Packer is on the board with his new team, the Minnesota Vikings.

It wasn’t an ideal start for the Vikings’ offense on Sunday. The Minnesota defense forced a three-and-out from the Giants, but Ed Ingram allowed a sack, and the following play, fullback C.J. Ham fumbled the ball to the Giants.

Minnesota’s defense held the Giants to three points, and the Vikings capped off a five-play, 65-yard drive that ended with their first touchdown of the season. Former Green Bay Packer running back Aaron Jones scored his first touchdown with Minnesota.

Jones took the handoff three yards out for a score. Minnesota got Jones on the outside, and then he used his speed to get an easy score.

https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1832833072183562431?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Minnesota needed to find a running back after losing Dalvin Cook. Alexander Mattison didn’t cut it last year with fumble issues and not finding the proper holes.

NFL analyst predicts new career high for Sam Darnold in 2024

Can Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold do something in 2024 he’s never done before and pass for 4,000 yards? One analyst thinks so.

Throwing for 4,000 yards in a season has become somewhat of a standard benchmark for “good” quarterback play in the NFL. Since 2020, at least nine quarterbacks have reached that mark in every season, with 12 quarterbacks surpassing 4,000 yards last season.

New Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was not one of those quarterbacks in either instance. In fact, Darnold has never come close to reaching the 4,000-yard mark in a season, with his career-best total coming as a member of the New York Jets in his second season. That year was Darnold’s best as a professional. He set career highs in every major statistical category, including throwing for 3,024 yards and 19 touchdowns.

That season, Darnold was throwing passes to the likes of Jamison Crowder and Robbie Chosen (then Robbie Anderson) and did so with head coach Adam Gase running the Jets offense. Suffice it to say that Darnold has some significantly better circumstances coming into this season.

Those improved circumstances have Pro Football Network analyst Mike Wobschall predicting a career year for the new Vikings starting quarterback.

Darnold has had some famous struggles during his career and is widely considered a draft bust after being chosen third overall by the Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft. However, he’s now stepping into a role as a veteran quarterback with arguably the league’s best wide receiver in Justin Jefferson, one of the best receiving running backs in the league in Aaron Jones, and a head coach, Kevin O’Connell, who got the most out of journeyman quarterbacks Josh Dobbs and Nick Mullens last season.

O’Connell’s system and coaching are very quarterback-friendly, and the supporting cast around Darnold is easily the best of his career. If Darnold is able to stay healthy for the entire season, and his flaws are kept mostly in check, Darnold should be able to comfortably reach this milestone.

Fantasy football: Where to draft Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones

Analyzing Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones’ 2024 fantasy football ADP and where to target him in fantasy drafts.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones, who is now 29 years old, joined the team this offseason after spending the last 7 seasons with the rival Green Bay Packers. Jones earned his only Pro Bowl appearance in 2020 and led the league with 16 rushing touchdowns the season prior. A versatile, multi-use threat, Jones is expected to be used often in the Vikings offense. Below, we look at Aaron Jones’ 2024 fantasy football average draft position (ADP) and where you should draft him.

Jones is expected to take a jump in his usage as the main weapon for the Minnesota backfield, ideally becoming a top-10 or even top-5 fantasy back. The former Green Bay star is intriguing in terms of fantasy value.

WIN YOUR FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE!
The Huddle has been turning players like you into winners for over 25 years. This season, it’s your turn. Custom fantasy football rankings, sleepers and tools are just a click away. Save 25% off the Internet’s best-kept secret. Subscribe now!

Aaron Jones’ ADP: 62.39

(ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com; last updated at time of this publishing – ADPs continually change as more drafts occur)

Jones’ 62.39 ADP puts him in the range of the 6th to 8th round depending on the size of the league. His ADP is lower than just one teammate, WR Justin Jefferson (8.38), whose ADP ranks 8th overall.

Among running backs, Jones’ ADP puts him 22nd at the position behind Chicago’s D’Andre Swift (61.79), New England’s Rhamondre Stevenson (56.25) and Detroit’s David Montgomery (52.56), and ahead of Las Vegas’ Zamir White (63.30), Miami’s Raheem Mostert (63.55) and Pittsburgh’s Najee Harris (65.97).

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

Aaron Jones’ 2023-24 stats

Games: 11

Carries | rushing yards: 142 | 656

Rushing touchdowns: 2

Receptions | receiving yards: 30 | 233

Receiving touchdowns: 1

FOOTBALL NEVER STOPS
Live games, analysis and more 7 days a week: Get ESPN+

Where should you draft Jones?

Jones’ fantasy value could get a boost due to him playing as the lead back and splitting fewer snaps. Jones should be a workhorse back for the Vikings, a team that will be desperate to get the run game going given the season-ending injury to 1st-round pick and projected starting QB J.J. McCarthy, forcing the Vikes to count on QB Sam Darnold.

Jones has been productive throughout his career and has a 5.0 yards per carry average, However, he has played on far better offenses than this one. When Jones had the best rushing season (1,121 yards in 2022-23), the Packers were just 8-9, but they were still led by one of the most lethal quarterbacks in the NFL in Aaron Rodgers.

The loss of rookie McCarthy (out of Michigan) will sting, but it isn’t going to be the end-all for Jones’ fantasy value. Fantasy owners are still taking Jefferson like he’s one of the best receivers. They should be doing the same with Jones, who is set to be one of the two main focal points of the offense. When he’s had at least 200 carries, he’s turned it into 1,000-plus yards. Plus, with 47 or more receptions in 4 of the last 5 seasons, he’s even more valuable in PPR formats.

Draft Jones in the late 5th round and feel free to reach into the middle of the 5th in PPR formats. In standard leagues, managers can let him fall into the early parts of the 6th, but he’s still capable of producing, so don’t let him fall much later.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Access more NFL coverage:
BetFTW | TheHuddle Fantasy Football | BearsWire | BengalsWire | BillsWire | BroncosWire | BrownsWire | BucsWire | CardsWire | ChargersWire | ChiefsWire | ColtsWire | CommandersWire | CowboysWire | DolphinsWire | EaglesWire | FalconsWire | GiantsWire | JaguarsWire | JetsWire | LionsWire | NinersWire | PackersWire | PanthersWire | PatriotsWire | RaidersWire | RamsWire | RavensWire | SaintsWire | SeahawksWire | SteelersWire | TexansWireTitansWire | VikingsWire | DraftWire | TouchdownWire | ListWire

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=3472]

Pair of Vikings listed among the league’s most underrated players

Running back Aaron Jones and safety Camryn Bynum were listed among the most underrated players in the NFL by CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin.

Despite losing their starting quarterback mid-season, the 2023 Minnesota Vikings came surprisingly close to making the playoffs. One of the major contributors to them falling short was an inability to run the ball on offense all year. Conversely, the play of their defense was one of the key factors in the Vikings even having a chance to make the playoffs at all.

The Vikings made moves in the off-season to address the lack of a running game, and it should come as no surprise that one of those additions, running back Aaron Jones, is listed by CBS Sports’ NFL analyst Cody Benjamin among the most underrated players in the league entering 2024.

Jones has a long history of being productive in the NFL, notching 1,000+ yards in three of the past five seasons, and also adds an element to the passing game out of the backfield that was missing in the Vikings offense last season. Though he’ll be 30 by the end of the season and does have an injury history, he “retains top-flight speed”, writes Benjamin.

Part of the problem with the running game last season was the lackluster blocking up front. Even if that situation doesn’t improve, Jones should be able to make more of it than any of the Vikings’ running backs last year, including Ty Chandler, who can now provide a nice change-of-pace to Jones rather than be relied upon for the bulk of the carries.

On the other hand, the Minnesota Vikings’ defense remains largely the same, and that’s a good thing. They kept Minnesota in a number of games they really had no business being in last season, and it was largely due to Minnesota’s other underrated stud: Safety Camryn Bynum.

Bynum has blossomed into the perfect safety complement to long-time stalwart Harrison Smith. As Smith reaches the twilight of his career, it’s time for Bynum to step up and take charge of the Vikings’ secondary. He’s done that with his play over the last two seasons, accounting for four interceptions and 15 passes defended.

The range that Bynum has from the safety position really opens up other defenders to play to their strengths. Smith can be more of a factor up towards the line of scrimmage. Josh Metellus can be moved all around the field and be a chess piece in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ defensive scheme. Corners can be more aggressive and take chances, knowing they have a rangey safety covering their back.

With these two commanding presences on each side of the ball, expect the 2024 Vikings to be competitive all year long, even with an uneasy situation at quarterback. They did it last year, don’t be surprised if they do it again this year.

Aaron Jones may have more fuel left in the tank than expected

For Aaron Jones, going from one division opponent to another, he has a chance to prove something.

Whenever a veteran running back is released from a team and then immediately signed by someone, expectations are lowered. For Aaron Jones, going from one division opponent to another, he has a chance to prove something.

During his training camp tour, Matt Verderame of Sports Illustraed made a stop at Vikings camp. One of the many observations he had was on the new Vikings running back and how he looks despite everyone checking out on him.

“Jones showed good burst and acceleration, something that was a question entering camp after he was released by the Green Bay Packers this offseason. Jones, 29, averages five yards per carry for his career, and the player I saw in Minnesota might keep that figure where it is.”

The team had many issues in terms of consistency out of the backfield last year. The revolving door they had isn’t an option in 2024, and that does add a lot of pressure to Jones. He has shown he is up to the task over time at Green Bay, and that was before he had a chip on his shoulder.

The Vikings hope what Verderame saw at training camp carries into the regular season, potentially even becoming something more than a one-year deal.

Two key Vikings land just outside of the NFL top 100 list

Two Vikings who will be key cogs in the offense barely missed the top 100 rankings.

NFL players vote on the top 100 players entering the season every year. Day by day the NFL keeps releasing 10 players a day to countdown the No. 1 player in the league.

While the player rankings are still being released, we now know who just missed the cut for being in the top 100. Two key Minnesota Vikings were on the list.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson came in at No. 106, and former Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones was ranked No. 103. Hockenson, who is still healing from last season’s injury, will be a vital piece of the Vikings’ offense in 2024. While weapons like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison will see the lion’s share of the targets, Hockenson is a reliable safety blanket for whoever starts at quarterback.

The Vikings struggled running the football last season after they let Dalvin Cook walk. Minnesota hoped Alexander Mattison would be the lead back, but he struggled turning it over and rushing efficiently. Minnesota turns its attention to Jones, a long-time Packer. Jones, who has battled injuries, is typically viewed as a top-10 running back when healthy. The Vikings hope to bolster their rushing attack with Jones in the fold.