Minnesota Vikings: Grades and analysis for the 2019 NFL Draft
By Adam Carlson
Round 3 – Pick 102 overall
Alexander Mattison, running back – Boise State
When talking about the elite running backs in the 2019 NFL Draft, Alexander Mattison isn’t really a name that was brought up often. Despite having a ton of success at Boise State, many teams were looking for possible feature backs or home-run hitters.
Mattison isn’t either of those. He is a bowling ball who has enough agility to make people miss and the power to brush off weaker tackles. He doesn’t have that top gear like some other rushers in the draft class had, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be productive.
Drafted to be the ultimate complementary player to Dalvin Cook, Mattison will get the tough yards. His determination to get a first down or to the goal line is like few running backs fans will ever see, and his ball security makes that skill even more valuable.
The more tape I watch on Mattison, the more I like him. His ability to catch passes, block, and play action will come in handy for the Minnesota Vikings and if something does happen with Cook, Mattison has shown the ability to take a bulk of carries and wear down defenses doing so.
NFL.com had Mattison as a fourth-round talent while CBS Sports insultingly had him as their 31st best running back. For most teams, he is likely a fourth-round player…but considering the fit with Minnesota, the third round was more than appropriate.