Bottom line up front
- Realistic role: 1a/1b backfield with a solid but not glamorous floor in 2025. Strong efficiency when on the field, limited pass-game usage, and TD upside tied to red-zone opportunities and offensive line play.

Key 2025 outlook and sentiment
- Role and workload
  - Vikings backfield likely to be a 1a/1b split; Mason should see 30–55% of backfield touches depending on game plan and health of other backs.
  - Hedge of volume: expect roughly 9–12 rush attempts per game plus 1–3 targets if pass game usage remains limited.
  - Snap-share: peak games could hit 50%+ snaps, but week-to-week due to committee dynamics.

- Efficiency and usage signals
  - Strong per-play efficiency: 4.97 YPC on 50%+ snap games (top-tier in that subset); good gap-run metrics (5.65 YPC on gap runs; 2.88 YACO/Att).
  - Red-zone and TD volatility: 8.8% TD rate on red-zone carries is low for the volume he saw; 3rd-lowest TD rate inside the 5 when he touched there. This implies TDs could regress positively if opportunity and usage improve, but also a risk if goal-line carries shift to a different back.

- Pass-catching and PPR impact
  - Downgraded in full-PPR formats due to limited receiving volume; not a high target magnet.
  - Value more likely in standard leagues or as a contrarian yield in games where he handles the agenda-heavy workload.

- Offensive context and coaching
  - OL improvement narrative: Vikings offseason upgrades touted as the best among teams; backfield described as a 1a/1b setup, which supports his ability to sustain a usable role.
  - Red flags: if the backfield depth chart tightens or another back emerges (Skattebo or others) he can lose snaps, especially in passing-down roles.

- Competitive landscape
  - Handcuff potential: considered a top handcuff candidate alongside players like Guerendo in draft talks; if you’re drafting for upside in later rounds, Mason is a defensible target as a hammer-back in case of injuries or inefficiency to the starter.

- TD and scoring upside
  - TD upside tied to red-zone efficiency and goal-line usage; improved offensive line and backfield role could unlock more TDs than 2024 data imply.

Draft strategy and value
- ADP and target range
  - Functions best as a late-round RB2/flex in standard leagues; in full-PPR his value is more precarious but still exist if volume holds and TD upside hits.
  - In mocks, some managers are targeting him as a mid-round RB3/flex with Mason/handcuff philosophy; could be appealing in best-ball formats due to potential spike weeks.

- Best-use scenarios
  - Draft him as a high-variance RB2/low-end RB1 in standard leagues if you’re confident in the 1a/1b split and his red-zone opportunity.
  - In PPR, he’s riskier; pair with a reliable pass-catcher to mitigate floor.

- Risk assessment
  - Primary risks: split workload reduces floor; limited pass-game involvement reduces weekly ceiling in PPR; backfield depth could siphon carries away in multiple games.
  - Positive risk: OL upgrade and true 1a/1b usage could unlock more consistent touch frequency and near-regression in TD rate inside the red zone.

Concrete takeaways for 2025 drafting
- Target range: late 5th to early 7th round in redraft (RB3–RB4 territory in most leagues); keep as a high-upside handcuff or a flexible flex option in non-PPR.
- If you miss the top back, Mason offers a viable, volatile but potentially league-winning upside in the right setup.
- Monitor handcuff/panic risk: if Cam Skattebo or another back carves out a larger role early in the season, re-evaluate his value quickly.