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Jordan Mason Trade Terms
49ers running back Jordan Mason is being sent to the Minnesota Vikings in a trade. The Niners will receive a 2026 sixth-round pick in the trade and swap picks with the Vikings in this year's draft. San Francisco will receive pick No. 160, and Minnesota will get pick No. 187.
Fantasy Impact
Jordan Mason was a good running back in Christian McCaffrey's absence. His ability to create explosive plays raised his fantasy ceiling. Mason ranked in the top eight in breakaway run rate among 69 qualifying running backs with 50-plus carries last season. His incredible athleticism and explosive run style were very effective in Shanahan's offense. He produced some great plays for San Francisco last season. He also made a name for himself in fantasy football, ranking as the RB6 through the first four weeks with the backfield all to himself.
This trade could be looked at in two ways for Mason. Some may see the young newcomer as a threat to the aging veteran Aaron Jones, and if Jones starts to show his age, that could be the case. However, Jones was outstanding last season, and the Vikings followed that up with a contract worth $20 million. This move seems more like an effort to strengthen the backup running back options in Minnesota. Cam Akers and Ty Chandler worked behind Jones last year. The duo combined to handle about 35 percent of the carries, and neither impressed when spelling Jones. Mason will eat up this volume and potentially become a touchdown-dependent flex play in fantasy, depending on how good Minnesota's offense is. However, his potential in fantasy football likely does not go beyond that unless something disastrous happens to Jones in 2025.
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Fantasy Fallout
Given that the Vikings have found their second running back to pair with Jones, it's unlikely they'll use Day 1 or 2 draft capital on the position in April. This keeps Jones safe when considering his 2025 job security.
A quiet winner of this deal is Isaac Guerendo, who becomes the clear-cut backup to Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers also have running backs Patrick Taylor Jr. and Israel Abanikanda on their 90-man roster, and San Francisco Standard staffer David Lombardi is among those who expect them to explore what is considered a strong draft class at the position. Given McCaffrey's age and extensive injury history, there will likely be starting opportunities in San Francisco. For now, Guerendo is first in line for any open touches.
Stock Watch
Risers
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Overview
Jordan Mason will be a great pairing with Aaron Jones in Minnesota, as their skills complement each other well. While Mason has the potential to start if Jones were to go down due to injury or if he slows down with age, the incumbent just landed a lucrative contract after an impressive 2024 campaign. Jones' new deal suggests that Minnesota believes he's capable of handling the role for at least the next season or two. Mason will likely serve a complementary role in the Vikings offense if Jones is healthy and good to go. This trade does not do much for San Francisco from a fantasy point of view except that it signals confidence in the impressive 2024 rookie Isaac Guerendo. He is the clear-cut backup for the 49ers offense until further notice.
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