Vikings add to backfield with Alexander Mattison
The Minnesota Vikings selected running back Alexander Mattison out of Boise State with the final pick of the third round in the 2019 NFL Draft, 102nd overall.
Mattison joins a crowded backfield led by Dalvin Cook and offseason addition Ameer Abdullah. However, with the injury history of the aforementioned pros, Mattison has a chance to see the field in 2019.
Mattison finished top 10 in the nation in both rushing yards and touchdowns with 1,415 yards and 17 scores last season.
Prospect profile
School: Boise State
Height: 5-11
Weight: 221 lbs
Strengths
- Physical back who invites contact and punishes defenders
- Surprisingly agile and elusive for a rusher of his size
- Impressive balance and ability to string together moves
- Explosive athlete with great acceleration through the hole
Weaknesses
- Lack of long-distance speed limits big-play ability
- Doesn't offer much as a receiver out of the backfield
- Physicality doesn't translate to consistent effectiveness in pass protection
- Limitations on third down will have him in an early-down role
Bottom line
Mattison is one of the more interesting sleeper prospects in this draft class. As much as the league, and these rankings, will prioritize backs who can contribute and thrive on third down, there's also still space for early-down runners. The latest in a long line of backs out of Boise State provides plenty of value there. Mattison is a big, physical body who packs a punch and has more explosiveness and wiggle than you'd expect. He's the perfect complement to a passing-down specialist.