I like KO and KAM. And I like all of you. But I never ever bought into the idea that Mattison was an RB1. His stats when Cook was hurt were fine against terrible defenses but he had very little burst, worse vision, and not a dynamic pass catcher.
ANYWHO… this isn’t to throw dirt on the guy. It’s to say— I’m not sure I trust our current FO to draft an RB (with what picks?). Drafting a running back will be much cheaper but we’re high on holes, low on picks, and suspect at evaluating talent at this position.
Seems most prudent to pay a vet FA who we know can play and that we won’t have to worry about (outside injury) in this case. Chandler would be an awesome 40% guy.
Quote: @pattersaur said:
I like KO and KAM. And I like all of you. But I never ever bought into the idea that Mattison was an RB1. His stats when Cook was hurt were fine against terrible defenses but he had very little burst, worse vision, and not a dynamic pass catcher.
ANYWHO… this isn’t to throw dirt on the guy. It’s to say— I’m not sure I trust our current FO to draft an RB (with what picks?). Drafting a running back will be much cheaper but we’re high on holes, low on picks, and suspect at evaluating talent at this position.
Seems most prudent to pay a vet FA who we know can play and that we won’t have to worry about (outside injury) in this case. Chandler would be an awesome 40% guy.
The preference is to fill the high value positions (QB, DE, OT, WR, CB) through the draft using the premium picks and to fill the other positions (IOL, DT, RB, S, LB) with later picks and FA, if necessary. Ideally, of course, you draft your entire team and all your picks work out. But that is not reality. But it is easier to find a good S, LB, or OG in FA than a good QB, DE, or WR.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ Vikergirl said:
Kudos to the front office for moving forward and correcting mistakes. They took a shot and it didn't work, time to move on
It clearly wasn't a mistake to move on from Dalvin. If there was a mistake it was giving Mattison RB1. I really think it should've been a committee with Chandler from day one.
Vikings are definitely adding a RB in free agency or the draft.
Oh no doubt or Kendricks and Thielen. They had to cut bait and free up money. I thought it should have been a committee but it is what it is. It will be interesting to see how free agency and the draft go
The Vikings made their release of running back Alexander Mattison official on Monday, moving on from the running back less than a year after they gave him a new deal at the start of free agency.Releasing Mattison will save the Vikings $3.35 million in salary cap space for 2024, and the decision comes before $2.75 million of his base salary was set to be guaranteed on March 15. The team had signed Mattison to a two-year, $7 million deal to become their top running back as part of a revamped running game last March, banking on the idea his efficiency would help them make up for what they'd lose in explosiveness by releasing Dalvin Cook.
But Mattison's season was plagued by turnovers, including costly fumbles against the Eagles and Broncos, and the fifth-year back finished the season without a rushing touchdown. He scored three times as a receiver, and ran for a career-high 700 yards, but averaged just 3.9 yards per attempt, and had lost his starting job to Ty Chandler by the end of the season.
His release means the Vikings could be in the market for running back help as they look for options to pair with Chandler. The return of fullback C.J. Ham would give the Vikings a pass protector on third downs if Chandler continues to struggle in that part of the game, and they could explore options in free agency and the draft.
After releasing Mattison, the Vikings should have more than $39 million in cap space before the start of the league year on March 13. Releasing veteran Dean Lowry would save them another $2.1 million, and if safety Harrison Smith decides to return in 2024, the team would likely reduce his cap number from its current $19.2 million figure. Smith has no money in his deal that's set to become guarantee
d at the beginning of the league year; though renegotiating his contract would give the Vikings more cap space for free agency, there's nothing forcing them to ask the 35-year-old Smith to make a decision on his future if he wants more time.
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-officially-release-running-back-alexander-mattison/600348134/
Too bad Akers came back early from his achilles rupture. He had everything you need. Running backs are a bargain now so they should be able to find what they need. A blind man would have hit more holes than Mattison!
Quote: @jargomcfargo said:
Too bad Akers came back early from his achilles rupture. He had everything you need. Running backs are a bargain now so they should be able to find what they need. A blind man would have hit more holes than Mattison!
I thought Akers looked like our best all round back in the limited action he had. He's young too at age 24.
Quote: @HappyViking said:
@ jargomcfargo said:
Too bad Akers came back early from his achilles rupture. He had everything you need. Running backs are a bargain now so they should be able to find what they need. A blind man would have hit more holes than Mattison!
I thought Akers looked like our best all round back in the limited action he had. He's young too at age 24.
I would like to bring him to camp & see if he can bounce back from his injury. You can probably resign him for less than the lowest RFA tender.
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