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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
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Kevin Fielder

Vikings 90-man roster player profile: RB Alexander Mattison

Welcome to the beginning of our 2023 season preview content!

Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at each player on the roster in-depth with backgrounds and how they currently project forward on the Minnesota Vikings roster.

What is the best-case scenario? What is the worst-case scenario? What should we expect from them during the preseason and beyond? We will break all of that down here.

As a staff, all of us at Vikings Wire ranked the entire 90-man roster 1-90 and will be releasing player profiles in reverse order.

Background

Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Name: Alexander Mattison

Rank: 16

Height: 5-11

Weight: 215 lbs

Experience: 5th year

College: Boise State

Stats (in NFL): 59 games played, 404 carries, 1,670 yards, 11 TDs; 70 receptions, 526 yards, 3 touchdowns

Votes: 

Tyler Forness: 16

Kevin Fielder: 18

Judd Zulgad: 16

Saivion Mixson: 16

Average: 16.5

Best case scenario

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Alexander Mattison has a major opportunity this season following the departure of Dalvin Cook. Mattison enters training camp as the Vikings expected starter and should see a boost in carries.

This jump in carries should allow Mattison to try and establish himself as the team’s starting running back for the foreseeable future. If that’s the case, look for Mattison to impact the game through the air and on the ground.

Worst case scenario

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

As a backup running back, Alexander Mattison has lacked real explosion, ranking near the bottom in explosive runs for the position. While that might not be a major concern, most teams want running backs who can break off big plays and end drives themselves.

If Mattison doesn’t start to show some real pop, he might be relegated to being a career backup running back who shows most of his value as a reliable pass catcher.

What to expect in 2023

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Mattison should likely see better statistics as the team’s starting running back. However, it’s not guaranteed that he stays as the team’s starting running back for the entire season. Ty Chandler is a promising player, and rookie Dewayne McBride has some potential as a two-down running back and could unseat Mattison as the season progresses.

However, it’s more likely that Mattison is a reliable but not special running back for the Vikings.

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