With starting running back Dalvin Cook sitting out the first week of preseason against the Saints, we saw third-round rookie Alexander Mattison get the majority of the carries.
Mattison carried the ball nine times for 30 yards, and caught one pass for a 1-yard touchdown.
With that performance, Mattison earned a B grade from NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks.
Here’s what Brooks wrote about Mattison:
Mattison should’ve caught the eyes of Vikings officials with his versatility and toughness as an RB1. He plowed through the line with force on inside runs and flashed soft hands on the 1-yard touchdown reception that capped the team’s first drive. If Mattison wants to lock up the RB2 job as a rookie, he will need to find a way to pick up positive yards when holes are messy between the tackles.
Mattison is currently the second running back on the team’s depth chart behind Cook. With Ameer Abdullah fumbling late in that game, I’d be surprised if Mattison didn’t remain the RB2 heading into the regular season.
