Post by Purple Pain on May 10, 2022 9:34:32 GMT -6
Regarding Mattison, this is from Nick Olson and Luke Braun's Post-Draft 53-Man Roster Predictions:
Plenty more at the link. Worth the read:
zonecoverage.com/2022/minnesota-vikings-news/nick-olson-and-luke-brauns-post-draft-53-man-roster-predictions/
RUNNING BACK
Nick: Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, Kene Nwangwu, C.J. Ham
Cook is a Pro Bowler and should continue to be the face of this offense. Mattison is a plus backup who, with his size and explosion, adds a little short-yardage thunder to Cook’s lightning. Nwangwu is still more of a special teamer than back — though he’s a very good special teamer, after becoming the first player to record multiple kickoff-return touchdowns in a single season since Cordarrelle Patterson in 2015, and he showed flashes as a runner and receiver in limited opportunities last year as a rookie.
The Vikings could cut Ham and save $1.95 million against the cap, but it sounds like O’Connell plans to still use plenty two-back sets given how defenses respond to them with heavier personnel, so expect Ham to stick around for the time being.
That would leave fifth-round rookie Ty Chandler as the odd man out, but it’s tough to see Chandler beating out what Mattison can do as a rusher or what Nwangwu can do on special teams. Chandler likely incubates on the practice squad for a year (assuming he goes unpoached) to take over once Mattison’s rookie contract is up after this year, unless a team makes an enticing offer to trade for Mattison or one of the team’s other backs. The Vikings could also roster all five backs, as they have occasionally kept five in the recent past, but unless Chandler wins a key role on special teams, it’s hard to see him earning many snaps as a rookie.
Luke: Dalvin Cook, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, C.J. Ham
Oops! You caught me hot taking! Cook and Nwangwu are locks, but the Ty Chandler pick spells more danger for Alexander Mattison than we all might think. Chandler’s strength is in his vision, and Mattison has struggled with that when asked to spellCook. If and when Cook misses time, I’d rather have someone with vision but not quite as much bulk and a superior top speed. And I think that’s the kind of thing that can show up in the preseason.
Also, it’s pretty clear the Vikings intend to use a fullback more than McVay offenses typically do. It’s not exactly a secret. Signing Bargas also means they intend to drill fullback roles on the second and third team and need a body for that. So Ham’s role is safe.
Nick: Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, Kene Nwangwu, C.J. Ham
Cook is a Pro Bowler and should continue to be the face of this offense. Mattison is a plus backup who, with his size and explosion, adds a little short-yardage thunder to Cook’s lightning. Nwangwu is still more of a special teamer than back — though he’s a very good special teamer, after becoming the first player to record multiple kickoff-return touchdowns in a single season since Cordarrelle Patterson in 2015, and he showed flashes as a runner and receiver in limited opportunities last year as a rookie.
The Vikings could cut Ham and save $1.95 million against the cap, but it sounds like O’Connell plans to still use plenty two-back sets given how defenses respond to them with heavier personnel, so expect Ham to stick around for the time being.
That would leave fifth-round rookie Ty Chandler as the odd man out, but it’s tough to see Chandler beating out what Mattison can do as a rusher or what Nwangwu can do on special teams. Chandler likely incubates on the practice squad for a year (assuming he goes unpoached) to take over once Mattison’s rookie contract is up after this year, unless a team makes an enticing offer to trade for Mattison or one of the team’s other backs. The Vikings could also roster all five backs, as they have occasionally kept five in the recent past, but unless Chandler wins a key role on special teams, it’s hard to see him earning many snaps as a rookie.
Luke: Dalvin Cook, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, C.J. Ham
Oops! You caught me hot taking! Cook and Nwangwu are locks, but the Ty Chandler pick spells more danger for Alexander Mattison than we all might think. Chandler’s strength is in his vision, and Mattison has struggled with that when asked to spellCook. If and when Cook misses time, I’d rather have someone with vision but not quite as much bulk and a superior top speed. And I think that’s the kind of thing that can show up in the preseason.
Also, it’s pretty clear the Vikings intend to use a fullback more than McVay offenses typically do. It’s not exactly a secret. Signing Bargas also means they intend to drill fullback roles on the second and third team and need a body for that. So Ham’s role is safe.
Plenty more at the link. Worth the read:
zonecoverage.com/2022/minnesota-vikings-news/nick-olson-and-luke-brauns-post-draft-53-man-roster-predictions/
