Minnesota Vikings RB Ty Chandler opened last season behind Alexander Mattison but eventually usurped him as the lead back. Is he poised to be a fantasy factor following the team’s release of Mattison? Or will the Vikings sign or draft a superior option? What should fantasy football managers do with Chandler in dynasty leagues?
Ty Chandler’s Dynasty Outlook
The dynasty community was surprisingly high on Chandler despite him touching the ball all of six times as a rookie. The lack of usage isn’t necessarily an indictment on Chandler’s talent, but it still would’ve been nice if he was able to carve out some sort of role.
Chandler opened the 2023 season as the primary backup to Mattison. The Vikings were so enamored with Chandler that they traded for Cam Akers early in the season.
Things were looking quite bleak for Chandler. But as fate would have it, Akers got hurt, thrusting Chandler back into the RB2 role. With Mattison struggling, Chandler got more of a chance, and he looked pretty good.
Where Chandler’s season really turned was when Mattison also got hurt. That gave Chandler an opportunity to be the lead back.
Although it was late in the season, in Week 15, Chandler totaled 157 yards and a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. In that one game, he looked better than Mattison had all season.
That was enough for the Vikings coaches. Even when Mattison was able to return, it was Chandler’s backfield. He had taken the job.
Chandler averaged a very respectable 5.0 yards per touch and 3.56 yards created per touch, both inside the top 20 at the position. He was good enough for the Vikings to feel they could lean on him. Clearly, they believed in him enough to cut Mattison just one year after signing the veteran to a two-year contract.
Chandler’s Dynasty Ranking
Where does Chandler land in the dynasty RB landscape going into the 2024 offseason? Here are Katz’s latest rankings, featuring where Chandler lands in comparison to other top names at the position.
1) Breece Hall | NYJ
2) Bijan Robinson | ATL
3) Jahmyr Gibbs | DET
4) Christian McCaffrey | SF
5) Jonathan Taylor | IND
6) Travis Etienne Jr. | JAX
7) De’Von Achane | MIA
8) Saquon Barkley | NYG
9) Rachaad White | TB
10) Isiah Pacheco | KC
11) Kenneth Walker III | SEA
12) Josh Jacobs | LV
13) Kyren Williams | LAR
14) James Cook | BUF
15) D’Andre Swift | PHI
16) Javonte Williams | DEN
17) Tony Pollard | DAL
18) Tyjae Spears | TEN
19) Rhamondre Stevenson | NE
20) Joe Mixon | CIN
21) Alvin Kamara | NO
22) David Montgomery | DET
23) Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS
24) Derrick Henry | TEN
25) Austin Ekeler | LAC
26) Najee Harris | PIT
27) Jaylen Warren | PIT
28) Zach Charbonnet | SEA
29) Nick Chubb | CLE
30) Aaron Jones | GB
31) Ty Chandler | MIN
32) Roschon Johnson | CHI
33) Jerome Ford | CLE
34) James Conner | ARI
35) Raheem Mostert | MIA
36) Khalil Herbert | CHI
Should You Trade Chandler in Dynasty?
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The short-term outlook for Chandler is good. He’s currently atop the Vikings depth chart, and the only other running backs on the roster are Akers and Kene Nwangwu.
There are two major concerns, though. First, the Vikings are going to bring in another back. They will not enter the 2024 season with just those three guys. There’s just no way.
Now, that doesn’t mean the back they add will be a threat to Chandler. As we saw with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, a team can have a questionable starter and still not sign or draft anyone of consequence. If the Vikings’ additions are on the level of Chase Edmonds or Sean Tucker, that’s great news for Chandler’s dynasty value (like it was for Rachaad White’s).
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The other issue is that, though Chandler is only entering his third NFL season, he’s already 26 years old. By the time his rookie deal is up, he will already be 28. Unless he lights it up over the next two seasons, there’s a very real chance Chandler’s peak dynasty value is right now. And even if it’s not, he may only have two years of being a useful fantasy asset.
Fantasy managers should not dismiss the notion of Chandler being a solid RB2 this season. Nevertheless, this feels like the ideal time to trade him. Given his age, draft capital, and limited production profile, if you can cash out now at a profit, it’s hard to envision a scenario where you really get burned.
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