Alexander Mattison primed for big role in 2019

Minnesota Vikings rookie RB Alexander Mattison will have a big role in the team’s rushing attack in 2019.

When the Minnesota Vikings selected Boise State running back Alexander Mattison in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the pick was met with pushback. Mattison was viewed as a reach, especially considering the presence of Dalvin Cook, who’s a healthy season away from becoming one of the league’s top offensive superstars.

But with Latavius Murray no longer on the roster — he signed with the Saints in free agency — someone has to take on the power-back role. Enter Mattison, who’s doing more than just impressing as a bigger-bodied option to complement Cook.

“He’s going good,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said of Mattison this week at training camp. “He runs physical. He looks like he’s got vision, finding the seams. I think he’s done a pretty good job in protection.”

Mattison has a chance to be a surprisingly productive rookie despite not receiving the kind of preseason hype that David Montgomery (Bears) or Miles Sanders (Eagles), among others, are getting.

But a quick look at the numbers suggests Mattison will get his fair share of touches.

Murray’s departure leaves 140 carries (8.8 per game) unaccounted for. He also had 22 catches. Murray averaged over 10 touches per week.

If Mattison averages 10 touches per game, he’ll have more than an opportunity to make his mark. In fact, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he impresses the Vikings enough to force them into a running-back-by-committee situation. While unlikely, there is a small chance Mattison could actually end up the lead back and push Cook into more of a pass-catching, third-down role.

It all starts with the preseason for Mattison. He needs to make a big impression on the coaching staff in order to build momentum for the regular season.

Mattison ended his final season at Boise State with 302 carries for 1,415 yards and 17 touchdowns. He added 27 catches for 173 yards as a receiver.