The Vikings’ 2022 draft class has been a scouting miss for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s regime, with Lewis Cine arriving as a notable pick who barely played and was cut last August after a trade-down landed him at 32. The rest of the class struggled to stick, including Brian Asamoah, who was waived. As training camp opens, debate swirls around Ty Chandler, a fifth-rounder who started 4 games and posted 100+ carries two seasons ago but looked light on production last season. An eager push from Zavier Scott in camp could edge Chandler for the No. 3 RB job behind the duo of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason in another team’s depth chart, fueling another roster rethink heading into 2025.

The chatter isn’t limited to the Vikings. Ty Chandler’s fate is tied to a broader roster churn, with the Lions having helped set the stage through a draft-day trade that altered Cine’s path, while the Packers’ backfield behind Jones and Mason remains a focal point of fantasy discussions. Chandler’s potential exit would reopen old wounds for Minnesota fans, but the move appears to be a sensible reset as 2025 approaches. The piece underscores a franchise still recalibrating a high-draft class that didn’t deliver, even as a few players push for surprising roster spots in camp and preseason action against teams like New England and Houston.

In short, Minnesota’s 2022 class is a case study in the risk of early overhauls, with Cine’s brief stint and Chandler’s uncertain role highlighting how quickly draft hits fade and roster spots shift in the NFL ecosystem. The conversation also spotlights cross-team dynamics—Packers, Lions, and Patriots—where veteran depth charts and preseason performances influence fantasy value and real-game decisions as rosters tighten for 2025.

The Minnesota backfield is the year’s biggest fantasy intrigue in the Vikings’ offense. Aaron Jones signed a two-year deal to stay in Minnesota, but the club also added Jordan Mason, signaling a modular 1A/1B approach rather to rely on one bell cow. The question for 2025 fantasy drafts isn’t who handles the workload first, but who thrives with fewer touches. Early signs point to Mason delivering superior efficiency and explosive-play ability, while Jones brings veteran steadiness and pass-catching value. With a young QB at the helm, Minnesota is likely to lean on the ground game to support J.J. McCarthy, and Mason’s metrics suggest he could seize the high-leverage, high-variance role as the year unfolds. Jones remains a plausible RB2, but the path to sustained value narrows as Mason’s opportunity grows and the coaching staff vocally backs a 1A/1B tandem. Expect Mason to carve out standalone flex viability and possibly become the Vikings’ backfield lead by midseason, making him the more dynamic pick in many 2025 formats.

Draft-day calculus emphasizes Mason’s younger age, clearer efficiency signals, and direct coaching optimism. Mason’s 2024 metrics highlighted sharp efficiency and broken-tackle aptitude, paired with a high explosive-run rate that outpaced Jones in several categories. The ADP gap between Mason and Jones is one to watch, with Mason trending toward mid-rounding while Jones sticks in the later rounds. In deeper leagues or best-ball setups, Mason could serve as an ideal RB2 with league-winning upside if he continues to harness the 1A/1B arrangement into a true 1B breakout by autumn.

J.J. McCarthy’s Vikings preseason debut was one series, but it left a lasting impression. He led a 13-play opening drive that ended in a field goal, showing poised command and a willingness to use his legs to extend plays. Tears at kickoff gave way to a clean, efficient performance in a live game against an unfamiliar defense, signaling the start of a long-term development arc for Minnesota’s quarterback of the future.

McCarthy connected with Addison and built chemistry with Jefferson in offseason work, though both veteran receivers were held out. Addison posted 33 yards on three grabs, including an 18-yard diving catch, while McCarthy showed mobility on fourth-and-4 runs and a readiness to improvise. Missed timing to Lucky Jackson and a high pass to Jordan Mason were hiccups, but the day’s biggest takeaway was the quarterback’s mobility and the clean operation—no penalties, sacks, or turnovers on the drive—a foundation on which Kevin O’Connell can layer more complex plays as camp progresses.

O’Connell framed the moment as a step in a precious process, highlighting layers of decision-making as McCarthy learns to read edge-rushers and orchestrate a next-gen offense. The pairing with Addison, combined with McCarthy’s athleticism, gives Minnesota intriguing upside if the rookie’s growth continues through August and into the season. The mood afterward blended emotion with optimism: McCarthy felt the moment, Addison flashed a connection, and the Vikings left U.S. Bank with momentum toward a long, patient quarterback development trajectory.

The Minnesota Vikings are gearing up for the 2025 season with a revamped roster, following a strong 2024 campaign that almost clinched the NFC North title. A significant change includes the departure of quarterback Sam Darnold, leaving J.J. McCarthy to lead the offense. McCarthy will have to adapt quickly to Kevin O'Connell's system, flanked by standout receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, alongside tight end T.J. Hockenson and a solid backfield pairing of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason.

With McCarthy under center, speculation is rife regarding how he will perform against a backdrop of expectations. The Vikings also brought in several second-year players who are expected to step up, enhancing their depth and talent. Observers are particularly keen on McCarthy's ability to connect with his star receivers, which will be pivotal for the team's success as they aim for playoff contention.