3 underdog Vikings who could win Mr. Mankato in 2023

Candidate No. 2: Ty Chandler - RB

Ty Chandler had very few opportunities in 2022 to show off his abilities, which will happen when one is in a backfield with Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison.

Chandler spent the majority of the 2022 season on the practice squad, with his NFL debut coming in the regular season finale in Chicago, where he had six carries for 20 yards.

Chandler was electric in his college days at North Carolina. With his ability to both run in between the tackles and spread out wide and catch the ball, he could do it all.

The 2023 training camp could be the chance Chandler needs to prove his worth to the Vikings, especially with rookie running back DeWayne McBride looking to take his spot.

Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell has discussed getting Chandler more involved in the offense heading into 2023. With the Cook situation looking more and more like a separation from the Vikings, Chandler has an opportunity to take over the RB2 role behind Mattison.

Mattison is likely going to start in 2023 if Cook is gone, that seems almost certain. But if Chandler is able to show out at training camp, he could earn himself plenty of snaps throughout the upcoming season, especially on passing downs.