4 players the Vikings could trade during the 2021 NFL Draft

Alexander Mattison – RB

Back in 2019, the Vikings used a third-round pick to add former Boise State running back Alexander Mattison to their roster. With Dalvin Cook missing a bunch of games during his first two seasons in Minnesota, the team drafted Mattison to give them someone with the capability to fill in for Cook if he needed to miss more time in the future due to injuries.

The good news for the Vikings is that Cook has appeared in at least 14 games in each of the last two seasons. Unfortunately for Mattison though, this has resulted in him getting less time on the field than he probably would’ve liked.

During his two years with Minnesota, Mattison has appeared in a total of 28 games (including the playoffs), but he’s been on the field for less than 20 offensive snaps in 75 percent of these matchups.

When the Vikings have given him the opportunities to make plays, he’s usually made them. Mattison has averaged 4.6 yards per rushing attempt and nine yards per reception during his two seasons with Minnesota to go along with four trips to the end zone.

He could be someone the Vikings might include in a trade offer during this year’s NFL Draft to move up in either the second or third round. If there is a team with multiple second or third-round picks in the upcoming 2021 draft that is also looking for a talented running back with experience, they might be willing to accept a trade offer from Minnesota that includes Mattison.