Popular Ex-Viking Faces Daunting Career Outlook
Former Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison hasn’t reached an age anywhere near “over the hill.”
Alexander Mattison faces an uphill battle in getting his career back on track, especially with a crowded depth chart on his current team.
But his recent and upcoming career trajectory suggests that Mattison might have trouble finding staying power in the league. The Vikings selected Mattison from Round 3 of the 2019 NFL Draft, staying attached to the Vikings for five seasons, the end of 2023.
Mattison signed with the Las Vegas Raiders last season, struggled to make an impact, and joined the Miami Dolphins in March.
One must wonder, though, if the arrangement in Miami will last.
Alexander Mattison Could Be Cut by Dolphins This Summer
The Dolphins have a pretty damn crowded running back depth chart. Here’s the group entering the summer:
- De’Von Achane
- Jaylen Wright
- Alexander Mattison
- Ollie Gordon II
- Nate Noel
Some have wondered out loud if Mattison will make the 53-man roster. FanSided‘s Alicia de Artola recently wrote, “Alexander Mattison has looked expendable since leaving the Vikings. De’Von Achane is clearly the No. 1 back in Miami. He’s had more yards in each of his first two seasons than Mattison’s career-high.”
“Then there’s Jaylen Wright, who Raheem Mostert described as “truly something special” despite his limited rookie production. Even if Wright doesn’t reach his potential, the Dolphins found a potential sleeper in Ollie Gordon in the sixth round this year.”
Gordon II should have no problem making the September roster, casting Mattison’s future into doubt.
de Artiola continued, “In an especially deep RB class, Gordon slipped to Day 3, but let’s not forget he was a Unanimous All-American as a sophomore in college with 2,062 yards and 22 touchdowns from scrimmage. Achane, Wright and Gordon were each drafted by the Dolphins. They have more reason to keep them around than Mattison.”
“Ostensibly, the Dolphins added Mattison as a veteran presence in a particularly young running back room. So I’d argue his likelihood of being cut is relatively low, but the fact that it exists at all speaks to a steep fall for a former third-round back who started 13 games for the Vikings two years ago. Once again, his ceiling is RB2.”
A Depth Chart Too Crowded
If you’re a Mattison enthusiast, well, Achane, Wright, and probably Gordon II ahead of him on the depth chart is concerning. Achane and Wright are utter locks to make the regular season roster. Not debatable.
And Miami probably won’t release Gordon II or toss him on the practice squad for another team to poach.
That leaves Mattison presumably on the August roster bubble.
Mattison Lacks Goal Line Juice, Speed
In the last few seasons, Mattison has not specialized in a single trait. That is — he’s not a goal line bowling ball, short yardage savant, speed merchant, or pass-catching asset.
After his first couple of seasons, when he looked great in relief of Dalvin Cook with the Vikings, Mattison has devolved into a mediocre tailback — one that may not have the juice to survive a summer competition against Gordon II, for example.
He’s average or below in every meaningful running back category.
Infusion of Rookie RBs Not Good for Mid-Tier RBs
Another problem for Mattison, with the Dolphins and elsewhere, is the sudden influx of running backs in the NFL. Of course, rookie tailbacks turn pro every year, but last month, general managers pulled 25 running backs from seven rounds of the draft.
Teams may prefer “young legs” after this dazzling RB draft class, putting Mattison in a precarious spot for his remaining NFL seasons.
Younger players — 25 from April’s draft — will make it more challenging for Mattison to stay employed.
PurplePTSD on Mattison in MIA
Janik Eckardt wrote about Mattison in Miami two months ago: “The Dolphins had a vacancy in their running back room. Ironically, Raheem Mostert left for the Las Vegas Raiders, practically trading jobs with Mattison. A fascinating aspect is Mattison’s fit in Miami. The Dolphins have prioritized speed in their running backs. Mostert, in his prime, brought track speed to a football team.”
“Top rusher, 2023 rookie De’Von Achane, still does. Backup and last year’s pick Jaylen Wright ran a 4.38, too, and was probably the slowest player in that room last season.”
The Dolphins don’t usually get involved with running backs of Mattison’s caliber — non-speedsters.
Eckardt added, “Mattison, on the other hand, is one of the slower running backs in the NFL. He is a powerful runner, however, which is likely why the Dolphins were interested. Having different types of backs makes sense. He will likely be used whenever more strength is needed.”
Mattison may end up on teams’ practice squads before too long.
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