How Far Does Alexander Mattison Get Buried?
When the Minnesota Vikings decided to move on from Dalvin Cook prior to the 2023 NFL season, they did so with the intention of Alexander Mattison carrying the torch as an internal replacement.
How Far Does Alexander Mattison Get Buried?
That decision couldn’t have backfired more, and they were left chasing their tail most of the season. In 2024, how far does he get buried on the depth chart?
Despite playing in 16 games and drawing 13 starts, Alexander Mattison was wildly unproductive as the Minnesota Vikings lead back. He contributed just 3.9 yards per carry, and a late-season resurgence boosted plenty of that. He ran for just 700 yards and averaged under 44 yards per game. Multiple other backs sometimes stepped in, and each seemed to provide a greater spark to the offense.
When the Vikings weren’t sure what they had going into the season, they opted to secure a deal with veteran Myles Gaskin. After it was clear that Mattison couldn’t carry the load on his own, they swung a trade for Los Angeles Rams castoff Cam Akers. Once Akers went down with a torn Achilles, Ty Chandler stepped up. He provided the Vikings with their first 100-yard rusher in over a year and stepped in as the starter to finish the season.
Looking towards 2024, there is plenty of uncertainty behind the quarterback in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Mattison will be back, as there is little reason to incur a $4 million cap hit by sending him packing. It should also be expected that some investment is made at the position, which could come through free agency or the draft.
Trending from last season, it would be safe to assume that Chandler is currently atop any unofficial depth chart for Minnesota. Mattison would then be immediately behind him, with 2023 rookie DeWayne McBride bringing up the rear.
Should the Vikings seek out an established veteran like D’Andre Swift, he would immediately overtake the top spot in the pecking order and push everyone else down. It’s hard to imagine a first-round pick being utilized on a back, but anything within the first three rounds could have Minnesota shuffling the group as well.
At this point, it’s probably safe to assume that Mattison has slid to the second spot for sure, but where he winds up will be telling of the Vikings’ future belief in him. This season was a chance to shine outside of the shadow created by Cook. Mattison fumbled the opportunity, literally and figuratively, and now is at the mercy of what the coaching staff and organization would like to see from the position.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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