Just How Good Is Alexander Mattison?

So good he could cost Cook $$ at the negotiating table... =)

Big upgrade from Murray and compliment to Cook. 

Looks starter quality to me. 

Mattison hits the line running hard.  At times, I can't tell the difference between him and Cook.  The kid has some power, is a good receiver, and he doesn't go down easy.
Nobody is missing Murray.

I'm glad it's just not me that has a hard time distinguishing the two...Cook has that burst and top end that makes him special...he's the type of talent that needs to be accounted for...

But if we had to roll with Mattison as the feature back, I could live with that. Hopefully we don't have to as I want to see Cook get a second contract.  I think we should get AntMan™ taken care of next, but after that, I think the earlier you extend Cook the less he'll cost. 

If we move on from Rhodes, redo or move on from Reiff, find a cap friendly way to keep Grif, I think we could find $$ for Cook.

No doubt we could roll will Mattison if Cook were out for some time. I'll say this also: Mattison has had some holes, too....and I'm not taking anything away from him. On his 10+ yard runs, look at what kind of lanes he had. 

Mack truck drivable holes...

But the thing that stood out from college, and what we are seeing here, is that ability to get passed the early penetration (phrasing) and hit the edge...regardless, love the way he runs...

I don't know if there's anyone on this board who follows the draft more than I do and Mattison was not at all on my radar. You really have to hand it to Spielman and the Vikings scouting staff on this one. They seem to be in a groove right now. 

Was listening to Denver radio the other day bemoaning Denver's recent draft classes. I know they've been bad, but to hear them go over player after player, bust after bust after bust after bust. High draft picks being replaced by street free agents because they just can't play. 

Too many around here do not sufficiently appreciate how well this team has drafted compared to the rest of the NFL. Barr, Waynes, Kendricks, Alexander, Hunter, Diggs, Cook, Hughes, O'Neill...it really is extraordinary.

And last year, when bad drafting teams like Denver take Noah Fant in the 1st round, good drafting teams like the Vikings take Irv Smith Jr in the 2nd...and Bradbury....and Mattison. 

@"MaroonBells" said: I don't know if there's anyone on this board who follows the draft more than I do and Mattison was not at all on my radar. You really have to hand it to Spielman and the Vikings scouting staff on this one. They seem to be in a groove right now. 

Was listening to Denver radio the other day bemoaning Denver's recent draft classes. I know they've been bad, but to hear them go over player after player, bust after bust after bust after bust. High draft picks being replaced by street free agents because they just can't play. 

Too many around here do not sufficiently appreciate how well this team has drafted compared to the rest of the NFL. Barr, Waynes, Kendricks, Alexander, Hunter, Diggs, Cook, Hughes, O'Neill...it really is extraordinary.

And last year, when bad drafting teams like Denver take Noah Fant in the 1st round, good drafting teams like the Vikings take Irv Smith Jr in the 2nd...and Bradbury....and Mattison. 

not bad for a third rounder

I bet he has a big day tomorrow. Big day

8 carries 70 yards 1 TD

@"purplefaithful" said: So good he could cost Cook $$ at the negotiating table... =)

Big upgrade from Murray and compliment to Cook. 

Looks starter quality to me. 

@"MaroonBells" said: I don't know if there's anyone on this board who follows the draft more than I do and Mattison was not at all on my radar. You really have to hand it to Spielman and the Vikings scouting staff on this one. They seem to be in a groove right now. 

Was listening to Denver radio the other day bemoaning Denver's recent draft classes. I know they've been bad, but to hear them go over player after player, bust after bust after bust after bust. High draft picks being replaced by street free agents because they just can't play. 

Too many around here do not sufficiently appreciate how well this team has drafted compared to the rest of the NFL. Barr, Waynes, Kendricks, Alexander, Hunter, Diggs, Cook, Hughes, O'Neill...it really is extraordinary.

And last year, when bad drafting teams like Denver take Noah Fant in the 1st round, good drafting teams like the Vikings take Irv Smith Jr in the 2nd...and Bradbury....and Mattison. 

Yeah, it is nice bitching about the nitpicky stuff, not the high round busts year after year.

@"MaroonBells" said: I don't know if there's anyone on this board who follows the draft more than I do and Mattison was not at all on my radar. You really have to hand it to Spielman and the Vikings scouting staff on this one. They seem to be in a groove right now. 

 

@"Mattyman" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: I don't know if there's anyone on this board who follows the draft more than I do and Mattison was not at all on my radar. You really have to hand it to Spielman and the Vikings scouting staff on this one. They seem to be in a groove right now. 

 

All my evidence is kind of circumstantial but I think Kubiak had a lot to do with the Vikings selecting  Mattison.

Mattison was someone I panned while looking at runners.
When Jacobs leapt up Daniel Jeremiah's draft board I briefly wondered what separated him above Mattison.  He's a little thicker, but Mattison is smooth out of the backfield like a receiver.
I'm pretty sure Kubiak was eyeing his ball skills as a plus factor.

IIRC the team dropped back twice before taking him with a comp pick?

It was hard to watch all the players I mocked going off the board that round.  

Yes.  The Drafting HAD to get better, and it has been for 5-6 years now, including The Bridgewater pick.

You can grouse over Patterson and Bradford, but I could match your complaint against pretty much any other team in terms of missing the mark.

The other thing that has been stellar is UDFA development.  Its no longer the crapshoot it used to be when Theilen was a rookie prospect.
I consider them lucky to have held on to him.

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"Mattyman" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: I don't know if there's anyone on this board who follows the draft more than I do and Mattison was not at all on my radar. You really have to hand it to Spielman and the Vikings scouting staff on this one. They seem to be in a groove right now. 

 

All my evidence is kind of circumstantial but I think Kubiak had a lot to do with the Vikings selecting  Mattison.

 

 .

It was only a few weeks ago when folks wanted everyone gone. Personally, I'd love to keep those three together for years.  

I don't see why it can't be possible   a new Asst HC, New Oline Coach, New ST Coach, New QB coach  are starting to coach up and improve their players.

Maybe when the Vikings overhaul 2/3 of the coaching staff,  it might be a good idea to wait more than 4 weeks to arrive at conclusions.

 I'm just glad that the Vikings are competitive and that they beat a divisional opponent on the road  and didn't turn the ball over. 

Progress!!!!!! 

@"kahsmick" said: .

IIRC the team dropped back twice before taking him with a comp pick?

81 to 88 to 92 to 93 to 102.  Whew!

@"Ralphie" said:

@"purplefaithful" said: So good he could cost Cook $$ at the negotiating table... =)

Big upgrade from Murray and compliment to Cook. 

Looks starter quality to me. 

I'm taking a gamble this week in my FFL. Mattison is one of my flex players. 

I would like to see both of them on the field at the same time to really confuse the defense. I like Ham, but the additional flexibility of having Cook and Mattison in the backfield together would be fun to watch.