Alexander Mattison 2019 Outlook
The Vikings used their third-round pick to add to their running backs room with Mattison. As NFL.com notes, Mattison became the latest running back to excel at Boise State. He finished in the top 10 nationally in rushes (302), rushing yards (1,415), and rushing touchdowns (17) as a junior for the Broncos. In the MWC Championship Game loss to Fresno State, he carried the ball 40 times for 200 yards and a score. In 2017, Mattison covered 1,086 yards and scored a dozen times on 212 carries (5.1 average) in 14 games (nine starts). Mattison contributed as a true freshman, as well, playing in all 13 games (67-328-4.9, four TDs). He was a part of Boise's passing game during his three-year career, catching 60 passes for 511 yards (8.5) and one score. With Dalvin Cook locked in as their primary back, the Vikings were looking to replace former backup Latavius Murray. Mattison not only resembles Murray in stature and physical style (he forced the third-most missed tackles of any back in the draft-eligible FBS in 2018, per Pro Football Focus), but in the way his downhill rushing style fits in with Cook's elusiveness and speed. While it seems like a reach to believe he emerges as a standalone threat, Mattison will be of great interest if something happens to Cook at any point.
