If you’re digging deep for a running back, you’ve probably come across the name Zavier Scott. And if you haven’t yet, you will soon. With Aaron Jones (hamstring) and Ty Chandler (knee) both landing on injured reserve, Scott suddenly finds himself in the Vikings’ RB2 role behind Jordan Mason. That makes him one of the more interesting speculative adds in deep fantasy football leagues.
Let’s dive into who Zavier Scott is, what makes him intriguing, and whether he deserves a spot on your fantasy roster.
WHO IS ZAVIER SCOTT?
Scott isn’t your typical NFL running back. He began his college career at UConn as a wide receiver before transferring to Maine, where he showcased his versatility by lining up at RB, WR, and even running snaps out of the Wildcat. After going undrafted, he spent time on the Colts’ practice squad before landing in Minnesota. At 6’1” and 219 pounds, he brings the size to handle contact but also the fluidity and hands to contribute in the passing game. Scott has a Swiss Army knife skill set that’s starting to translate at the NFL level.
Originally brought in as more of a hybrid H-back/running back depth piece, Scott quickly turned heads with strong preseason performances. In Minnesota’s first preseason game against the Texans, he piled up 51 total yards on eight touches. He followed that up with another 72 yards from scrimmage against the Patriots, showing off his soft hands, vision, and steady playmaking ability. Those back-to-back showings helped him earn a spot on the 53-man roster and put him on the fantasy football radar.
HOW ZAVIER SCOTT EARNED THE VIKINGS RB3 JOB
It’s hard to ignore just how good Scott looked in August. He ran hard, caught everything thrown his way, and looked comfortable in multiple roles. Against New England, he posted 44 receiving yards on three catches, including two 18-yard gains on screens. His vision, patience, and route-running skills stood out in an offense that desperately needed depth behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason.
Scott himself knows what’s on the line. After the Patriots game, he said:
“I would play my heart out, continue to grow and improve, and play with calm confidence in what God’s gifted me. That’s what the last couple weeks have been like. I’ve just got to keep building on that.”
That determination is part of why he climbed from practice squad obscurity to RB2 status in just a year.
A SNEAKY ELECTRIC ATHLETIC PROFILE
While he might not pop off the page like Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs, Scott’s testing numbers are eye-opening (just look at his 99th percentile College YPC!):
That combination of size, speed, and burst makes him more than just a depth piece. He has the athletic traits to matter if Minnesota leans on him for meaningful touches.
THE SUDDENLY OPEN VIKINGS BACKFIELD
Let’s be real, this backfield has been messy for years. Minnesota has rotated through Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, Cam Akers, Ty Chandler, and now Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. The problem? None of the backups have truly solidified themselves as long-term options.
Scott now finds himself behind only Jordan Mason, who is locked in as the lead back while Jones and Chandler heal up. That makes Scott the clear No. 2, with a realistic chance at 6–10 touches per game if the Vikings run heavy or if Mason misses time. For a team starved for playmakers behind Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson, Scott’s versatility could carve him a real role.
ZAVIER SCOTT FANTASY OUTLOOK
Okay, let’s be honest for a sec. Zavier Scott isn’t going to win you your league. He’s not even a plug-and-play starter right now. But at just 1% rostered on Yahoo!, he’s exactly the kind of speculative add that savvy deep-league managers look for. We’re not rostering him in 10-12 team leagues, but in deeper 14-16 team leagues, he’s worth a stash, especially if you’re thin at the position. In dynasty, he should be added this week, and is available in 82% of Sleeper leagues.
The upside here is simple: if Mason gets banged up, Scott is looking at legitimate starter reps in a functional Vikings offense. That’s the kind of “next man up” scenario that can win you a week.
SUMMARY: DEEP-LEAGUE WAIVER WIRE ADD
Zavier Scott is the definition of a low-risk, moderate-reward fantasy stash. He’s got the athletic profile, he’s shown preseason flashes, and he finds himself in a running back room that is paper-thin right now.
Will he become a league-winner? Probably not. But will he be a valuable bye-week fill-in or injury insurance if given the chance? Absolutely. And that’s exactly the kind of player that managers scoop up before the rest of the league catches on.
If you’re in a deep league and need RB depth, grab Scott now while he’s still under the radar. Worst case? You cut him if another low-owned running back shines this weekend. Best case? You just found yourself a sneaky flex play on a team that needs every ounce of backfield help it can get.
Zavier Scott is a name to know. In deeper formats, stash him now before the Vikings’ backfield carousel inevitably spins again.
