- Monitor the Vikings' short-yardage and scoring-position role: Jordan Mason could function as the team’s primary rusher in both situations in 2025.
- The Chiefs may have a passing-down role up for grabs: Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt and rookie Brashard Smith will be in the mix.
- Subscribe to PFF+: Get access to player grades, PFF Premium Stats, fantasy football rankings, all of the PFF fantasy draft research tools and more!
Estimated Reading Time: 15 minutes
NFL training camps are upon us, which means positional battles are officially underway. While established veterans can be difficult to unseat, the rookie running back class includes multiple players who can seize fantasy-friendly roles before Week 1 kicks off.
We're detailing four such running back battles to watch in training camp.
Minnesota Vikings short-yardage and scoring-position role: RB Aaron Jones and RB Jordan Mason
Minnesota’s front office acquired former San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason via trade in mid-March, penning him in for 1B running back duties behind 1A running back Aaron Jones. Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell celebrated Jones’ performance as an early-down rusher, receiver and third-down pass protector, though he notably complimented Mason’s zone- and gap-running ability as a “heavy… [slashing] runner” who can meaningfully contribute in “short-yardage situations, those goal-line situations, goal-to-go, where we’ve really left a lot to be desired as a football team.”
Fantasy managers should closely follow Mason’s training camp performance as he attempts to secure Minnesota’s short-yardage and scoring-position role. Among 43 NFL running backs with at least 350 offensive snaps in 2024, Jones’ 75.4 PFF overall grade in 2024 tied for 17th. Mason’s 72.7 mark ranked 24th.
Jones and Mason both struggle to run effectively in short-yardage situations, though Mason generally performs more efficiently on downs with 1-2 yards to go.
The table below shows Jones and Mason’s short-yardage rushing data from 2024 among 46 running backs with at least 15 rushing attempts with 1-2 yards to go.
| Aaron Jones | Jordan Mason | |
| PFF Rushing Grade | 63.3 (No. 41) | 71.2 (No. 27) |
| Rush Att. | 34 (T-No. 11) | 16 (T-No. 38) |
| 1st-Down &/Or TD Conversion Rate | 58.8% (No. 35) | 56.3% (No. 38) |
| 1st Downs &/Or TDs | 20 (No. 16) | 9 (T-No. 42) |
| Missed Tackles Forced Per Rush Att. | 0.18 (T-No. 18) | 0.13 (T-No. 31) |
| Missed Tackles Forced | 6 (T-No. 10) | 2 (T-No. 37) |
| Yards After Contact Per Rush Att. | 2.0 (T-No. 31) | 2.7 (No. 10) |
| Yards Per Rush Att. | 3.1 (No. 21) | 4.3 (No. 8) |
Mason similarly out-rushed Jones in the red zone and green zone last season, but Jones’ tackle-breaking ability remains superior.
The table below shows the following:
- Jones' and Mason’s 2024 red-zone rushing data among 34 NFL running backs with at least 23 red zone rushing attempts.
- Jones' and Mason’s 2024 green-zone rushing data among 29 NFL running backs with at least 14 green zone rushing attempts.
| Aaron Jones | Jordan Mason | |
| PFF Red-Zone Rushing Grade | 58.0 (No. 28) | 57.4 (No. 29) |
| Red-Zone Rush Att. | 43 (No. 17) | 34 (No. 23) |
| Red-Zone 1st-Down &/Or TD Conversion Rate | 16.3% (No. 33) | 29.4% (T-No. 15) |
| Red-Zone 1st Downs &/Or TDs | 7 (T-No. 23) | 10 (T-No. 19) |
| Missed Tackles Forced Per Red-Zone Rush Att. | 0.21 (No. 10) | 0.15 (No. 19) |
| Yards After Contact Per Red-Zone Rush Att. | 1.7 (T-No. 27) | 1.8 (No. 26) |
| PFF Green-Zone Rushing Grade | 41.7 (No. 29) | 42.9 (No. 28) |
| Green-Zone Rush Att. | 24 (T-No. 16) | 19 (No. 21) |
| Green-Zone 1st-Down &/Or TD Conversion Rate | 12.5% (No. 29) | 21.1% (No. 27) |
| Green-Zone 1st Downs &/Or TDs | 3 (T-No. 28) | 4 (T-No. 26) |
| Missed Tackles Forced Per Green-Zone Rush Att. | 0.13 (No. 13) | 0.11 (T-No. 15) |
| Yards After Contact Per Green-Zone Rush Att | 0.9 (No. 29) | 1.0 (No. 28) |
Jones is an unquestionably superior red-zone receiver, but O’Connell’s aforementioned comments suggest he intends to increase Minnesota’s red-zone run-play rate, which ranked 26th among NFL teams in 2024 (37.8%).
The table below shows Jones' and Mason’s red-zone receiving data in 2024 among 51 NFL running backs with at least three red-zone targets.
| Aaron Jones | Jordan Mason | |
| PFF Red-Zone Receiving Grade | 53.1 (No. 40) | 57.0 (No. 31) |
| Red-Zone Targets. | 17 (No. 1) | 3 (T-No. 39) |
| Red-Zone Target Rate | 29.8% (No. 4) | 9.1% (T-No. 48) |
| Red-Zone 1st Downs &/Or TDs | 3 (T-No. 9) | 2 (T-No. 15) |
| Yards Per Route Run | 1.25 (No. 12) | 0.61 (No. 28) |
Minnesota’s front office bolstered the offensive line by signing former Colts Ryan Kelly and Will Fries and selecting expected tackle-to-guard convert Donovan Jackson in the 2025 NFL draft’s first round. Among 84 NFL centers and right guards with at least 265 offensive snaps in 2024, Kelly’s 66.9 PFF overall grade ranked 35th and Fries’ 86.9 mark placed sixth. Among 51 Power Five offensive tackles with at least 815 offensive snaps in 2024, Jackson’s 70.2 PFF run-blocking grade ranked 18th.
The improved interior blocking unit increases the short-distance back’s first-down and touchdown conversion potential, so fantasy managers should have their eyes on this backfield.
New York Giants passing-down back: RB Cam Skattebo and RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.
The Giants' front office drafted former Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo in the 2025 NFL Draft’s fourth round, one year after selecting wide receiver-to-running back convert Tyrone Tracy Jr. in the 2024 NFL Draft’s fifth round.
The speedy 6-foot-1, 210-pound Tracy was a moderately efficient rusher in year one and surprisingly underwhelmed as a receiver. The 5-foot-9 1/2, 219-pound Skattebo enters the league with an NFL-ready passing down skillset, thriving as both a receiver and pass protector at the FCS and Power Five levels. Among 43 NFL running backs with at least 350 offensive snaps in 2024, Tracy’s 58.4 PFF overall grade ranked 42nd. Among 41 Power Five running backs with at least 450 offensive snaps in 2024, Skattebo’s 93.3 mark placed first overall.
Tracy’s speed will keep him involved as a rotational rusher, at worst, but his receiving talents pale in comparison to Skattebo’s.
The table below shows the following:
- Tracy’s 2024 receiving data among 35 NFL running backs with at least 35 targets.
- Tracy’s 2024 pass-protection data among 33 NFL running backs with at least 50 pass-protection snaps.
- Skattebo’s 2023-2024 receiving data among 46 Power Five and Boise State running backs with at least 45 targets.
- Skattebo’s 2023-2024 pass-protection data among 59 Power Five and Boise State running backs with at least 85 pass-protection snaps.
| Tyrone Tracy Jr. | Cam Skattebo | |
| PFF Receiving Grade | 40.6 (No. 34) | 69.2 (T-No. 18) |
| Targets | 50 (T-No. 19) | 85 (No. 4) |
| Target Rate | 16.1% (No. 27) | 16.6% (No. 21) |
| Yards Per Route Run | 0.92 (No. 28) | 1.62 (No. 5) |
| Missed Tackles Forced | 13 (T-No. 15) | 25 (No. 3) |
| Missed Tackles Forced Per Rec. | 0.34 (No. 9) | 0.37 (No. 12) |
| Yards After Catch Per Rec. | 7.5 (No. 26) | 12.8 (No. 1) |
| Explosive Pass Plays | 5 (T-No. 20) | 16 (No. 1) |
| Explosive Pass Play Rate | 13.2% (No. 16) | 23.5% (No. 6) |
| PFF Pass-Blocking Grade | 40.9 (No. 28) | 55.9 (No. 33) |
| Pass-Block Efficiency | 95.3 (T-No. 11) | 100.0 (T-No. 1) |
As detailed in 2025 NFL Draft: Best receiving backs, “Skattebo operated as Arizona State’s offensive focal point last season. Among 47 Power Five and Boise State running backs with at least 170 offensive touches in 2024, Skattebo ranked second across the board in offensive touches (338), missed tackles forced (116), 20-plus-yard receptions (eight), fourth in two-minute-drill targets (14) and seventh in adjusted target rate (21.1%).”
Skattebo should be considered the favorite to exit training camp in control of both the two-minute drill role and third- and fourth-and-long role. Securing the lead rushing role is within his range of potential outcomes, as well.
Among 32 Power Five running backs with at least 175 rushing attempts in 2024, Skattebo ranked No. 1 overall in rushing attempts (294), missed tackles forced (103) and PFF rushing grade (94.6). Among 33 NFL running backs with at least 145 rushing attempts, Tracy failed to crack the top 16 in either of PFF’s stable rushing statistics and graded out as the seventh-worst player (69.6 PFF rushing grade). He could still return early-season value by retaining lead rushing duties.
Kansas City Chiefs passing down back: RB Isiah Pacheco, RB Kareem Hunt and RB Brashard Smith
Veterans Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt will compete with seventh-round rookie Brashard Smith for the team’s two-minute drill and third- and fourth-and-long roles come training camp, though head coach Andy Reid may already view Smith as the team’s de facto passing-game specialist.
Among 55 NFL running backs with at least 275 offensive snaps in 2024, Pacheco’s 63.3 PFF overall grade ranked 44th and Hunt’s 74.4 mark placed 20th. Among 41 Power Five running backs with at least 450 offensive snaps in 2024, Smith’s 90.2 PFF overall grade ranked fifth.
Pacheco suffered a Week 2 ankle injury that included ligament damage and a fractured fibula. He returned to play in Week 13. He struggled to perform as both a rusher and a receiver, closing his third NFL season with career lows in missed tackles forced per rushing attempt (0.07), yards after contact per rushing attempt (2.3), PFF rushing grade (65.2 PFF rushing grade), PFF receiving grade (54.6 PFF receiving grade) and yards per route run (0.73). He notably earned a career-best 77.8 PFF pass-blocking grade.
Neither Pacheco nor Hunt played in the two-minute drill, nor in third- and fourth-and-long situations during the NFL playoffs. Current Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine handled both roles. He earned a 67.2 PFF overall grade last year.
Although Hunt operated as the backfield’s offensive snap (73 snaps via a 39.5% snap share) and touch (31 touches via a 63.3% touch share) leader throughout the playoffs, he totaled just three targets while earning a 54.0 PFF receiving grade along the way.
Pacheco operated as his team’s No. 2 running back in the two-minute drill (42 snaps via a 31.8% snap share) and the No. 3 running back in third- and fourth-and-long situations (21 snaps via a 14.1% snap share) during Kansas City’s 2023 season, suggesting Reid trusts him as at least a mildly capable contributor on pure passing downs.
After observing Chiefs offseason practices, ESPN’s Adam Teicher believes “the Chiefs have plans for Smith” and got him the ball “out of the backfield, from the slot and split out wide.”
Smith spent 2021-2023 playing as a wide receiver for Miami before transferring to SMU and converting to running back. The speedy 5-foot-10, 194-pound player took to the position quickly.
The table shows the following:
- Smith’s 2024 receiving data among 33 Power Five running backs with at least 30 targets.
- Smith’s 2024 pass-protection data among 43 Power Five running backs with at least 59 pass-protection snaps.
| PFF Receiving Grade | 90.8 (No. 1) |
| Targets | 51 (No. 9) |
| Target Rate | 25.5% (No. 2) |
| Yards Per Route Run | 1.69 (No. 4) |
| Missed Tackles Forced | 11 (T-No. 12) |
| Missed Tackles Forced Per Rec. | 0.27 (No. 23) |
| Avg. Depth Of Target | 1.8 (No. 6) |
| Yards After Catch Per Rec. | 8.1 (No. 23) |
| Explosive Pass Plays | 5 (T-No. 16) |
| Explosive Pass Play Rate | 12.2% (No. 23) |
| PFF Pass-Blocking Grade | 67.2 (No. 13) |
| Pass-Block Efficiency | 100.0 (T-No. 1) |
Smith also profiles as a capable rotational rusher. Among 32 Power Five running backs with at least 175 rushing attempts in 2024, he graded out as the 12th-best player (86.9 PFF rushing grade). Fantasy managers should follow this training camp competition closely.
Cleveland Browns passing down running back: Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson
Veteran Jerome Ford and fourth-round rookie Dylan Sampson will compete for passing-down duties in training camp, though the lead rusher role has also suddenly become available following second-round rookie running back Quinshon Judkins’ recent arrest. He is charged with misdemeanor domestic battery and faces a potential suspension. Judkins has not yet signed his rookie contract.
Ford should be penciled in as the Week 1 lead rusher after starting six games for Cleveland last season, though Sampson possesses the requisite skillset to overtake him in-season. Among 43 NFL running backs with at least 350 offensive snaps in 2024, Ford’s 71.2 PFF overall grade ranked 27th. Among 57 Power Five running backs with at least 400 offensive snaps in 2024, Sampson’s 90.5 mark placed him fourth and Judkins’ 88.8 mark placed him sixth.
Both Ford and Sampson are prolific tackle breakers. Sampson profiles as a superior target earner and a more efficient and explosive receiver, and he enters the league with an NFL-ready pass-protection skillset.
The table below shows the following:
- Sampson’s 2023-2024 receiving data among 46 Power Five and Boise State running backs with at least 45 targets.
- Sampson’s 2023-2024 pass-protection data among 59 Power Five and Boise State running backs with at least 85 pass-protection snaps.
- Ford’s receiving data among 35 NFL running backs with at least 35 targets in 2024.
- Sampson’s pass-protection data among 33 NFL running backs with at least 50 pass-protection snaps in 2024.
| Jerome Ford | Dylan Sampson | |
| PFF Receiving Grade | 59.7 (No. 28) | 77.1 (No. 7) |
| Targets | 42 (T-No. 30) | 47 (No. 45) |
| Target Rate | 13.8% (No. 34) | 16.7% (No. 20) |
| Yards Per Route Run | 0.74 (No. 31) | 1.13 (T-No. 22) |
| Missed Tackles Forced | 17 (T-No. 6) | 20 (T-No. 10) |
| Missed Tackles Forced Per Rec. | 0.46 (No. 3) | 0.54 (No. 2) |
| Yards After Catch Per Rec. | 7.8 (No. 23) | 9.7 (No. 14) |
| Explosive Pass Plays | 3 (T-No. 28) | 6 (T-No. 26) |
| Explosive Pass Play Rate | 8.1% (No. 27) | 16.2% (No. 19) |
| PFF Pass-Blocking Grade | 45.1 (No. 26) | 61.7 (No. 24) |
| Pass-Block Efficiency | 90.5 (No. 27) | 98.0 (No. 6) |
Ford (5-foot-10, 210 pounds) turns 26 years old on September 12. Though Sampson stands just 5-foot-8 and 200 pounds, he proved in 2024 at 20 years old that he can handle a high-volume workload. As detailed in 2025 NFL Draft: Best receiving backs, “[a]mong 47 Power Five and Boise State running backs with at least 170 offensive touches in 2024, Sampson ranked sixth in offensive touches (278), fifth in missed tackles forced (83), ties for 19th in third- and fourth-down targets (eight) and ties for 12th in slot targets (five).”
As evidenced by his 90.9 PFF rushing grade, tying for second among 32 Power Five running backs with at least 175 rushing attempts in 2024, Sampson can meaningfully contribute as a rotational rusher, as well.
PFF’s NFL Power Rankings projects Cleveland for just 5.5 wins, tying for the fewest among NFL teams and signalling frequent pass-heavy game scripts.
Fantasy managers should closely follow Sampson’s training camp battle against Ford for the passing-down role.
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