Fantasy Player Rankings

Alexander Mattison Fantasy Preview

By Boris

Posted on August 23, 2023

Alexander Mattison Fantasy Preview

Alexander Mattison…
My name is Alexander Mattison…
There’s a million things I haven’t done
Like, be a starting RB, with consistent success…

I just can’t ever read the name Alexander Mattison without thinking of that opening song from the musical Hamilton, and now you probably can’t either…sorry/not sorry.

The hype train for Alexander Mattison is alive and well going into the 2023 season. The assumption is that Mattison will inherit the starting RB role that Dalvin Cook enjoyed for several seasons. Considering the successes that Cook had, it only makes sense that Mattison will be next in line for what has been a fantasy-friendly Minnesota Viking backfield. I’m always wary of assumptions because when you assume, you run the risk of making a certain something out of you and me.

Latest Odds

Most rushing TDs in regular season +2,500 (bet365)
10+ rushing TDs +350 (bet365)
Most rushing yards in regular season +2,500 (bet365)
To have 1,000+ rushing yards +150 (bet365)
Offensive Player of the Year +8,000 (BetMGM)

PROPS

Higher/Lower 6.5 rushing TDs (Underdog and SuperDraft)

I’m okay not going in on any of these. As you’ll read below, there are enough question marks surrounding Mattison, so I’ll invest my money elsewhere.

Current ADP

ADP – 57-70
RB ADP – 19-27

This range of ADP tells me that some people are definitely buying into the idea that Mattison is the clear RB1 for the Vikings and that he will reap the benefits of the recent fantasy fruitfulness of the Minnesota backfield. Others appear to be a little doubtful about whether or not Mattison can perform like Dalvin Cook along with whether or not the Vikings offensive scheme will be conducive to RB production. Compared to July, however, Mattison’s ADP is trending upwards.

Fantasy Insight

While Dal Cook had a good year last season and finished as RB9, it was a bit of an anomaly. Dalvin Cook, until last year, was the primary beneficiary of HC Mike Zimmer’s vaunted rushing offensive scheme. Since 2014, when Zimmer took over, the Vikings consistently produced top-tier RBs who had names like Adrian Peterson, Latavius Murray, Jerick McKinnon, and Dal Cook. Zimmer was gone for the 2022 season, and the more pass-friendly offense of Kevin O’Connell took over. Dalvin Cook still had success, and that was in large part because he was on the field most of the time.

Alexander Mattison showed flashes of RB1 potential in 2021 due to Cook missing multiple games. In the games Cook missed, Mattison put up 17.1, 19.3, 18.4, and 13 fantasy points, but again, that was under Zimmer. Last year Mattison had but one game with double-digit fantasy points and one game over 40 rushing yards. While Cook missed less time in 2022, I’d argue these numbers are low enough to question Mattison’s ceiling in O’Connell’s offense.

On top of that, Vikings broadcaster Paul Allen was recently heard on Sirius XM stating that he thinks the Vikings are going to go with a backfield that is more like the Eagles’ backfield of last year. That means 2-3 RBs will be seeing the field in all games, so Ty Chandler and Kene Nwangwu could potentially eat into Mattison’s workload more than some may think.

Fantasy Value

Ultimately, Mattison is unproven as an RB1 and this isn’t the same rushing offense that fantasy players have become accustomed to. Are the Vikings still going to run the ball? Of course, but it just won’t be the primary focus, and Mattison may not be either.

Considering Mattison’s ADP of a likely 5th or 6th-round pick, I doubt I will be getting much of him. At that point I would like to already have two RBs, or will be looking elsewhere for an RB2, or more than likely I’ll be seeking a different position in those rounds. At some point everyone is a value though. If Mattison were to slip into the 7th or 8th round, I might have something more to think about. Like the Vikings though, I’m not sure he’s my priority.

Dynasty Value

Nah. Mattison is only 25 years old, but there are younger backs available in better-rushing offenses. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m more interested in players at other positions anyway as their careers last a little longer than most RBs.

Bold Prediction

Mattison comes in under 1,000 rushing yards and under 6.5 TDs.

*This is my personal opinion, which may or may not reflect site projections.*

Boris

Matt, aka Boris, had a friend in his high school freshman English class once mistakenly call him that, and the nickname has somehow stuck ever since. He has been playing fantasy football since the early 2000s and Daily Fantasy Sports since 2015. Boris has been writing about DFS since 2020 and is excited to be a part of GridIron Experts. He has a wife (proving someone can stand him) and a daughter. Boris loves the beach, skiing, hockey, soccer, and football. He attempts to teach high school English, and aspires to make a ton of money in DFS. Follow him on Twitter @Borisnow00.