Reason No. 4 – Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison are fundamentally different styles of running back.
There is a very likely possibility that inserting Mattison into the starting lineup results in a moderate amount of success. But these men are not stylistically interchangeable. What’s more, Dalvin Cook has shown when healthy he is a top-notch tailback. In this 2020 hypothetical scenario of Mattison becoming the bell-cow back, he could perhaps approach that degree of productivity.
Along with that incertitude, their styles differ. Alexander Mattison is mostly a downhill runner–with a bit more sizzle than fellow north-and-south runners. Other downhill running backs past and present include Derrick Henry, Marshawn Lynch, Eddie Lacy, Matt Asiata, and Latavius Murray. Do any of those men sound a Dalvin Cook-like player in terms of traits?
No, Dalvin Cook is a slasher with a knack for breaking and missing tackles, a true hybrid of sought-after characteristics. This style is certainly not unprecedented, but it is unique.
A Minnesota Vikings offense has the capability to trudge ahead adeptly with a pizzazz-laden downhill runner getting the bulk of touches. Although, it had a certifiable top ten NFL offense in 2019 with Dalvin Cook as its engine.