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The big number that stands out: Jones so far has a 64.3% success rate on his 42 carries. The definition of success: At least 40% of yards toward another first down during a first down carry, at least 60% of the yards to gain toward a first down on second down, and achieving a first down on a third- or fourth-down carry.
By that measure, my favorite run wasn’t even a success because it only gained 30% of the needed yards toward another first down. But Jones is a master at turning 1 yard into 3 and 3 into 5.
But Jones keeping the Vikings mostly in positive situations has been a tremendous boon to QB Sam Darnold, as has Jones’ ability to make big plays in the passing game.
As a team last year, the Vikings had a 44.8% success rate running the ball. Cook, their primary back from 2018-2022, was below 48% in four of those five seasons. Jones is at 55.2% for his career, including the strong start this year and 62% last year in Green Bay — lending credence to his recent assertion that he is “aging like fine wine.”
The Vikings will need to manage Jones’ workload to keep him healthy, but so far he ranks very high in a crowded field of notable offseason pickups for Minnesota.
Here are four more things to know today:
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