The free agency cycle never sleeps, whether it’s big moves or sneaky moves. This time, the Las Vegas Raiders are signing running back Alexander Mattison to the roster in an attempt to strengthen the position’s room following the loss of Josh Jacobs. Why did the Raiders make the move?
A Look at Alexander Mattison’s Contract Details
After signing with the Raiders, Mattison is officially on his third NFL contract. This time, he’s getting a new deal with the Raiders. The move was first reported by Jordan Schultz, but his contract details aren’t yet available.
He previously had signed a four-year, $3.4 million rookie contract with the Minnesota Vikings in 2019 and a two-year, $7 million deal with the Vikings again in 2023. According to Spotrac, his market value sits at about $3.2 million on a one-year deal.
Mattison’s Stats
Mattison was taken in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Vikings. Since then, he’s played in 75 games in five seasons, starting 19 of them. He’s rushed for 2,370 yards and 11 touchdowns on 584 attempts. He also adds 100 receptions for 718 yards and six more touchdowns.
However, 2023 was a career season for him. He started 13 games, the most of his career, and rushed for 700 yards on 180 attempts. However, he had no rushing touchdowns. He did, however, have three touchdowns and 192 yards on 30 receptions in 2023.
A big reason for Mattison’s struggles in the touchdown department was his struggles in the red zone. He had nine carries inside the five-yard line, resulting in negative yardage (-7) and no touchdowns.
For the Raiders, Mattison will compete with Zamir White for the lead-back role, but he will likely get a good amount of carries either way. White has played in 31 games, starting just four of them, in his two seasons, rushing for 521 yards and one touchdown on 104 attempts. He also has 15 receptions for 98 yards.
Alexander Mattison’s Fantasy Football Impact
Analysis by Jason Katz
After losing Josh Jacobs, the Raiders were always going to sign or draft a running back. We now know Mattison will be joining White and Ameer Abdullah in the Raiders’ backfield.
Last season, when Jacobs missed the final month of the season, White operated as the lead back with Abdullah on passing downs. Both did so under interim head coach Antonio Pierce.
Now the full-time head coach, Pierce has familiarity, trust, and confidence in White. Fantasy managers buying into White for the upcoming fantasy season should be thrilled at the Mattison signing.
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Mattison struggled mightily last season, averaging just 8.3 fantasy points per game. He eventually lost his starting job to Ty Chandler.
Mattison should still have a role on the Raiders, but it will likely be no more than a couple of carries a game. He is best viewed as the handcuff to White and an uninspiring one at that. Meanwhile, this solidifies White as the starter and potentially an RB2/Flex for fantasy football.
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