Alexander

Mattison

Mattison’s visit with the Raiders apparently went well, as the two sides are reportedly set to join forces for this season. Mattison rushed for 700 scoreless yards last season, but the real winner in this deal may be Zamir White. Josh Jacobs is in Green Bay, and while Mattison has proven to be a solid backup, he shouldn’t threaten White for significant touches. Assuming the Raiders don’t invest major draft capital at running back, White will have high-end RB2 upside, with Mattison serving as his handcuff.

The Raiders need a backup behind Zamir White, which is a role Mattison should have no trouble occupying. His lone season as a starter didn’t go well last season, as the five-year vet rushed for 700 scoreless yards while averaging 3.9 YPC and added another 30-192-3 through the air. Mattison hasn’t averaged more than 3.9 YPC in any of his last three seasons but has proven serviceable as a backup when needed. Schultz said “multiple teams” are in play for Mattison’s services, so it’s possible we learn of more visits before he finds a new home.

Heading into season two of a two-year deal, $2.75 million of Mattison’s contract was set to vest on the third day of the new league year. Cutting him loose creates $3.35 million in space. Mattison’s 2023 return was first-guessed last spring, and he responded with continued inefficiency both as a rusher and pass catcher. He simply isn’t a starting-level back, though he is versatile enough that he should still command interest as a backup. Guaranteed money might be difficult to come by in a glutted market, however. Ty Chandler is the No. 1 back on the Vikings’ current 90-man roster, but they should add at least 1-2 potential competitors.

As expected, Mattison was exclusively a backup in this game. Ty Chandler out-carried him 8-2. Mattison has struggled all year and the Vikings are content with giving Chandler the bulk of the touches to close out the season. Mattison is not on the fantasy radar for Week 17.

Per the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Mattison is not 100 percent healthy and Ty Chandler will remain the team’s top back. Mattison can be left off fantasy rosters in even the deepest of leagues. Inactive for the Vikings are RT Brian O’Neill, CB Byron Murphy Jr., WR Jalen Nailor, TE Nick Muse, S Lewis Cine, G Chris Reed, and QB Josh Dobbs.

More importantly, Pelissero added that Mattison is not 100 percent healthy and the Vikings are expected to “keep riding Ty Chandler.” That’s great news for fantasy managers who added Chandler a few weeks ago and are now counting on him for RB2 numbers. Chandler ran 23 times for 132 yards and a touchdown in Week 15. As the team’s lead back, he projects for another strong performance versus Detroit this week.

Right tackle Brian O’Neil is also questionable. Mattison returned to practice on Friday after sitting out of the first two sessions of the week. Earlier in the week, head coach Kevin O’Connell said, “We’re kind of building with the mindset that Ty is going to be a guy we’re trying to get the ball to a lot.” All signs point to Ty Chandler handling the bulk of the work for Minnesota, whether or not Mattison is available. Chandler will rank as an RB2 while Mattison is not on the fantasy radar for Week 16.

Mattison has yet to practice in any capacity since suffering an ankle injury in Week 14, making it likely that he misses his second consecutive game against the Lions. That should leave Ty Chandler in a featured role after the rookie back handled 27 of 28 running back opportunities in Week 15 against the Bengals.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell wouldn’t yet rule out Mattison for Sunday’s game; however, it seems like the plan is for Ty Chandler to lead the backfield regardless. “We’re kind of building with the mindset that Ty is going to be a guy we’re trying to get the ball to a lot, both in the run and the pass,” said O’Connell. “If we have Alex that’s going to be a huge bonus for the depth and making sure we have our full group available.” It seems like Mattison will be a back-up even if he’s healthy enough to play which means he’s not likely to be a fantasy asset for anybody in the playoffs.

Mattison didn’t practice this week, and the Vikings playing on Saturday instead of Sunday probably killed any remote shot he had of suiting up. In his place will step Ty Chandler, who should be something of a three-down player who cedes a few snaps/touches to special teamer backup Kene Nwangwu. The Vikings are making yet another change at quarterback, depressing their overall offensive environment, but Chandler should at least reach an RB2 level of touches vs. a similarly-undermanned Bengals team. He can certainly be fired up for the fantasy semifinals. Chandler should be considered questionable for Week 16 against the Lions.