Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison seemed to have wrested control of the lead running back role for his team in their Week 8 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He was highly inefficient with his touches, though. He carried the ball 14 times for 15 yards (a paltry 1.1 yards per carry), and caught five passes on five targets for 29 yards. Most notably, he rushed for two yards, no gain, and negative-two yards after Las Vegas took possession due to an interception by opposing QB Patrick Mahomes II. The goal-line stand took away Mattison's best chance at scoring a touchdown. The majority of his fantasy value appears to be tied to PPR points from high target volume, but he'll have an easier matchup in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals and profiles as a FLEX option in deeper leagues.
Oct 28, 2024 10:15 AM EST
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison was much more efficient than usual in Week 7 in the 15-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Mattison rushed 23 times for 92 yards and caught all three of his targets for 31 yards, giving him 15.3 PPR fantasy points on the day. He took the vast majority of the RB workload. The sixth-year pro was much more involved in the offense than fellow RB Zamir White (groin) who was in his first game back from injury. It appears that the former Minnesota Viking could dominate RB touches in the future, but he also averaged under three yards per carry in four games this season. The Rams defense is also very weak, so the matchup was soft. The Raiders will face the Kansas City Chiefs and their formidable run defense in Week 8. Mattison is a risky FLEX option in deeper leagues. Las Vegas' depleted offense could have difficulty doing much of anything.
Oct 21, 2024 3:26 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison will square off against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7. He's had two consecutive solid fantasy weeks, but the return of Zamir White (groin), who practiced in full on Friday, could cap his upside yet again. Mattison averaged 2.5 and 2.4 yards per carry in his two weeks with White absent. That level of inefficiency won't earn him a workhorse role. The Rams defense allows the eighth most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, but in a split role, the former Viking isn't likely to be startable. He profiles as an RB4, mostly due to pass-catching upside, if White returns. If not, he'll be a fringe RB3/FLEX option in PPR.
Oct 19, 2024 7:40 AM EST
Las Vegas Raiders' running back Alexander Mattisonhad his first opportunity as the team's lead rusher against the Denver Broncos in Week 5, but Denver's defense mostly stifled him. The sixth-year pro had just 38 yards on 15 carries, good for 2.5 yards per carry, and added two receptions on three targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 34-18 loss. Mattison also rushed for a two-point conversion on a touchdown by his backup, Ameer Abdullah. Running room has been challenging for the former Viking to find, as the Raiders don't pose much threat to opposing defenses in the passing game. Things are looking grim again for Week 6, when the Raiders will face the Pittsburgh Steelers, who allow the second-least fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. With the potential return of lead back Zamir White (groin) from injury, Mattison is best left on the bench for his upcoming game.
Oct 7, 2024 7:55 AM EST
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison is due to receive a larger share of the team's backfield touches moving forward, according to head coach Antonio Pierce. "He's deserved more reps," Pierce said, "and he'll get them." Mattison has been involved in the offense, but primarily as the "third-down" back and a change of pace behind backfield mate Zamir White. White has out-carried the former 49-to-17 through the season's first four weeks, but the former Viking has been more effective with his work -- sporting 5.1 YPC while White averages a whole two yards less. Mattison has looked like the better back, and now he'll get the opportunity to prove it. Fantasy managers may want to exhibit caution before slotting him into their lineup, as he's racked up just two double-digit fantasy point outings thus far. Still, the increased usage and his work in the passing game could keep him in the conversation of a weekly FLEX option moving forward. Las Vegas will gear up for a divisional road matchup when they head to Denver to take on the Broncos in Week 5.
Sep 30, 2024 2:36 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison rushed for 60 yards on five rushing attempts in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns. He did have 10 more rushing yards than lead back Zamir White, outgaining him 60 to 50 in Week 4. Mattison punctuated his day with big runs of 24 and 16 yards. Interestingly, he was targeted just once and didn't record a catch on the day. The 26-year-old is usually more involved in the passing game, so, oddly, he was mostly kept out of it. He has not recorded a catch in the Raiders' wins this season but has nine receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown in losses this season, so his receiving production is game-script dependent. Mattison has scored 16.2 and 13.4 PPR points in losses and 6.1 and 6.0 points in wins, so his scoring will likely depend on whether the Raiders are playing from behind for much of the game. Mattison is not worth starting outside of very deep leagues in a tough Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos due to his inconsistency and low floor.
Sep 30, 2024 4:31 AM EST
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison continues to lead the team's backfield in fantasy scoring, logging three carries for seven yards and a touchdown while catching three passes for 33 yards in Sunday's 36-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers. While the Raiders backfield is hideous for fantasy, Mattison is the clear higher-upside player, outperforming "lead" back Zamir White yet again. Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce stated before the game that White should have 20+ touches, but again, that's failed to come to fruition. White hasn't played well, and while Mattison averages a glacial 2.3 yards per carry, the receiving upside is nice for deeper PPR leagues. Mattison is worth a start in 14+ team PPR leagues with deeper rosters but is also a bust candidate any given week and is mainly touchdown-dependent flex in the Week 4 matchup versus the Cleveland Browns.
Sep 23, 2024 10:12 AM EST
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison turned his limited touches into gold with a 31-yard touchdown reception, totaling 62 yards from scrimmage. The former Minnesota Viking rushed for 19 yards on five carries and caught four of six targets for 43 yards and a score in Sunday's 22-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. His involvement in the passing game was a silver lining in an otherwise gloomy rushing day for the Raiders. The 26-year-old out-snapped teammate Zamir White 36 to 23 in Sunday's loss. Mattison's versatility keeps him relevant in fantasy. He's a flex play with upside in PPR formats, especially if he continues to see targets. His role could expand after Sunday's performance, but he is off the fantasy radar in a tough matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.
Sep 9, 2024 10:56 AM EST
Former Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison is signing an undisclosed deal with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, according to a source. Mattison is still only 25 years old and recorded 17 touchdowns in his five seasons in Minnesota after they took him in the third round in the 2019 draft out of Boise State. The 25-year-old was a disappointment in 2023 while taking over the lead-back role from Dalvin Cook, though, which is why Mattison was released this offseason. In 16 games (13 starts) last year, Mattison had a career-high 180 carries for 700 yards (3.9 yards per carry) and no rushing touchdowns while adding 30 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns. Josh Jacobs is no longer in Vegas, but Mattison figures to work in a timeshare with Zamir White in his first year in Sin City in 2024.
Mar 18, 2024 6:02 PM EST
Free-agent running back Alexander Mattison is visiting with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, according to sources. Multiple teams are in play for Mattison this point after he was cut by the Minnesota Vikings this offseason. Mattison took over the Vikings' lead-back role in 2023 after the team moved on from Dalvin Cook, but Mattison didn't impress with the extra playing time, averaging 3.9 yards per carry on a career-high 180 rushing attempts while running for 700 yards and no touchdowns in 16 games (13 starts). He added 30 receptions for 192 yards and three touchdowns on a career-high 44 targets. The Raiders didn't re-sign Josh Jacobs, so as of right now, Zamir White is their RB1 this offseason. If Mattison where to sign with Vegas, he'd most likely be involved in some sort of timeshare with White.
Mar 18, 2024 12:08 PM EST
The Minnesota Vikings informed running back Alexander Mattison on Thursday that they are releasing him, according to a source. Mattison took over in 2023 for Dalvin Cook as Minnesota's primary running back and ran for a career-high 700 yards on 180 carries (3.9 yards per carry) and no touchdowns while adding 30 catches on 44 targets for 192 yards and three receiving scores in 16 games. The 25-year-old will head back to the free-agent market this offseason, but this time he won't be returning to the Vikings. It was clear early on that Mattison wasn't the answer for the Vikes' running game, as he was often stuffed behind the line of scrimmage and lacked any kind of consistent burst. After his 2023 showing, his fantasy stock has plummeted, and he'll likely be in some sort of timeshare in 2024 wherever he lands.
Feb 29, 2024 7:37 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison had just two carries for negative yardage in Week 16, as he ceded lead-back duties to Ty Chandler despite being active. Mattison was limited in practice this week with an ankle ailment, which is even more reason not to trust the Boise State product in Week 17 against the Packers. Despite having a matchup against the third-worst run defense in the NFL, Mattison should not be in lineups this week considering that his workload will be limited.
Dec 30, 2023 4:44 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) remained limited at Thursday's practice with the ankle injury that he suffered in Week 14. Mattison had to miss Week 15 on a short week with the game landing on a Saturday but was able to return to Minnesota's backfield for five snaps in last Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions. Though Mattison appears to be on track to play on New Year's Eve for Sunday Night Football against the division-rival Green Bay Packers, the clock sure looks to have reached midnight on the 25-year-old back's fantasy appeal. Mattison took just two carries in Week 16, apparently ceding lead-back duties to Ty Chandler's eight totes in a pass-heavy Vikings offense. Mattison was trusted as the team's workhorse after they let Dalvin Cook walk away this past offseason, but he owns 3.9 yards per carry over 170 attempts and six drops this year. Mattison will not a reliable RB4/flex if available for the fantasy finals.
Dec 29, 2023 12:14 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) was estimated as a limited participant in the team's walkthrough practice on Wednesday. A right-ankle sprain cost Mattison the team's Week 15 contest, but he returned in this past Sunday's loss to the division-rival Detroit Lions. However, the 25-year-old only played five offensive snaps and handled two carries for minus-one yard. Ty Chandler didn't exactly do much, either, with eight carries for 17 yards and a touchdown against a stout Lions run defense. Mattison should be active once again this Sunday evening versus the division-rival Green Bay Packers, but it's very possible that Chandler continues to handle the majority of the backfield touches. With a fantasy championship on the line in Week 17, we hope fantasy managers have better RB options than Mattison.
Dec 27, 2023 7:29 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) is officially active for Week 16 versus the Detroit Lions. However, as NFL Network's Tom Pelissero noted on Sunday morning, the 25-year-old is less than 100 percent and could have some limitations while operating behind Ty Chandler, who dominated with 157 total yards and one touchdown last weekend. While it's unclear exactly what this backfield split will look like, Chandler is expected to get the bulk of opportunities, presumably putting him in the high-end RB3 range versus a strong Lions run defense. Meanwhile, Mattison, who is dealing with his injury, a reduced role, and a difficult matchup, can be left on the bench in most fantasy leagues.
Dec 24, 2023 11:41 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) is expected to play in Week 16 despite being listed as questionable, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. However, the 25-year-old is less than 100 percent and could take a backseat to Ty Chandler, who dominated with 157 total yards and one touchdown last weekend. While it's unclear exactly what this backfield split will look like, Pelissero made it clear that the Vikings will continue to "ride" Chandler, presumably putting him in the high-end RB3 range versus a strong Lions run defense. Meanwhile, Mattison, who is dealing with his injury and a reduced role, can be left on the bench in most fantasy leagues.
Dec 24, 2023 8:33 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) returned to practice on Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Week 16 versus the Detroit Lions. While Mattison doesn't appear to be 100 percent quite yet, it's a good sign that the Vikings are leaving the door open for him to play. The bad news, though, is that Ty Chandler will earn a heavy dose of touches out of the backfield this Sunday after he exploded for 157 scrimmage yards in Week 15. It's not clear exactly what this backfield split will look like, but fantasy managers should prepare for Mattison dropping to the low-end RB3 tier if active.
Dec 22, 2023 2:20 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) did not suit up for Thursday's practice session. This is now back-to-back days that Mattison has sat out while he recovers from an ankle injury. It's worth noting that Mattison hasn't practiced in any capacity since suffering his ankle injury in Week 14. That means, Mattison is trending towards missing his second straight game. If that happens, Ty Chandler would be asked to operate as the lead back against the Detroit Lions. Chandler looked solid last week and would have decent streaming appeal if Mattison is unable to play.
Dec 21, 2023 9:26 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) was not seen at the portion of Wednesday's walkthrough practice that was open to the media. Head coach Kevin O'Connell didn't rule out Mattison for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Detroit Lions, but he also spoke more strongly on Wednesday than he did on Monday about the likelihood of Ty Chandler serving as the team's primary RB for the second straight game. Mattison sprained his right ankle in Week 14 and sat out last Saturday's overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals while Chandler exploded for 23 carries, 132 rushing yards and a touchdown while adding three catches for 25 yards. If Mattison can't practice the rest of the week and doesn't play on Sunday, Chandler will be in play yet again as an RB2 in fantasy, but this time in a much tougher matchup against the division-rival Lions.
Dec 20, 2023 5:11 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 15's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The ankle injury that forced Mattison out of Week 14's game against the Raiders kept him out of practice all week, and now the backfield will be in the hands of Ty Chandler. Chandler had fantasy circles rumbling about a possible depth chart shake-up after he out-carried Mattison in Week 10 and then logged 110 yards from scrimmage the next week. No such change was ever made official, but now Chandler will operate as Minnesota's lead rusher and may see a fair amount of check-downs from quarterback Nick Mullens. Fantasy managers should be aware that the Vikings are in one of Week 15's three Saturday games and should plan accordingly.
Dec 14, 2023 2:47 PM EST