Raiders' Alexander Mattison: May share more work with White
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Head coach Antonio Pierce said Wednesday that Mattison remains the team's starting running back, but Pierce also wants to get Zamir White more involved, Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site reports.
Mattison started the last four games and took at least 57 percent of snaps and at least 17 touches in each contest, averaging 16.5 carries for 44.5 yards (2.7 YPC) and 3.8 catches for 28.8 yards (7.2 YPT) while scoring one touchdown. The volume has made him a reasonable fantasy starter, at least in PPR leagues, but his struggles on the ground seemingly open the door for White to take on a significant role again, possibly as soon as this Sunday at Cincinnati.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Horrific efficiency against KC
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Mattison rushed the ball 14 times for 15 yards in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Chiefs. He added five receptions on five targets for 29 yards.
Mattison was the only Raider to record more than two carries, but he didn't do anything to earn the continued opportunity. His longest rush went for just five yards, and four of his 14 carries went for zero or negative yards. Mattison did manage to salvage his day as a receiver, as he tied for second on the team with five targets. Zamir White saw only two carries and totaled -1 yards, though it wouldn't be surprising to see the Raiders mix up their running back usage in Week 9 against the Bengals.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: RBs to Sit
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Mattison was excellent in Week 7 at the Rams with 23 carries for 92 yards and three catches for 31 yards on three targets, and he scored 15.3 PPR points. He also scored 17.5 PPR points in Week 6, and he's worth using as a flex option in most weeks. But it will be tough to trust him in Week 8 against the Chiefs, who are No. 1 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. No running back has gained more than 58 rushing yards against Kansas City, including matchups with Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson, J.K. Dobbins, Alvin Kamara and Jordan Mason. I would avoid Mattison in most lineups in Week 8.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Keeps lead role in White's return
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Mattison rushed 23 times for 92 yards and caught all three of his targets for 31 yards in Sunday's 20-15 loss to the Rams.
The Raiders got Zamir White (groin) back for the first time since Week 4, but Mattison got 23 carries to White's three. Having usurped White as the top option in Vegas' backfield, Mattison should have a high touch floor moving forward on a Raiders team that wants to play smashmouth football due to the team's lack of talent in the passing game. Mattison has logged at least 17 touches in three consecutive games heading into a Week 8 home game against the Chiefs.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Sleeper RBs
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We'll see if Zamir White (groin) can return in Week 7 against the Rams, but I like Mattison as at least a flex, even if White is active. Mattison should continue to get the majority of touches for the Raiders, and he just scored 17.5 PPR points against the Steelers in Week 6. He has three games with at least three catches, and his role in the passing game could be needed after Davante Adams was just traded to the Jets. The Rams have allowed five running backs to score at least 16.3 PPR points this season, including two in a row against D'Andre Swift and Josh Jacobs.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Tallies touchdown as lead back
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Mattison rushed the ball 14 times for 33 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 32-13 loss to the Steelers. He added five receptions on five targets for 32 yards.
Mattison served as the lead back for the second consecutive week in the absence of Zamir White (groin). He accounted for the majority of his production on the Raiders' first offensive possession, during which Mattison recorded 25 yards on the ground while also recording his touchdown. If White is sidelined again for a Week 7 matchup against the Rams, Mattison should have the ongoing chance to be productive thanks to projected volume.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Set to lead backfield
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Mattison is in line to lead the Raiders backfield Sunday against the Steelers with Zamir White (groin) inactive.
With White on the pine Week 5 at Denver, Mattison started and earned a 57 percent snap share en route to 15 carries for 38 yards and two catches (on three targets) for 23 yards. Meanwhile, Ameer Abdullah handled 44 percent of plays, with most of his 51 yards from scrimmage coming on a 40-yard carry, though he did have a three-yard touchdown run. A similar breakdown of reps between Mattison and Abdullah likely will come to pass Sunday.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: RBs to Sit
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Mattison had a season-high 17 total touches in Week 5 at Denver with Zamir White (groin) out, but Mattison managed just 61 total yards, including two catches, and he scored 10.1 PPR points. We'll see if White returns in Week 6 against the Steelers, but even if Mattison remains the starter he should just be a flex option at best in the majority of leagues. The Steelers are No. 4 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and only two running backs have scored touchdowns against Pittsburgh so far this season.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Struggles as lead back
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Mattison rushed the ball 15 times for 38 yards in Sunday's 34-18 loss to the Broncos. He added two receptions on three targets for 23 yards.
Mattison took over as the lead ball carrier in the Raiders' backfield and tripled his previous high in carries for the season. He was ineffective with the opportunity, however, as his longest rush went for just eight yards while he averaged only 2.5 yards per carry. Mattison salvaged his day to some degree with his work as a pass catcher, though it wouldn't be a surprise to see Ameer Abdullah mix in more in Week 6 against Pittsburgh if Zamir White (groin) remains sidelined.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Set for lead role with White out
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Mattison is set to operate as Vegas' top running back against the Broncos on Sunday, as Zamir White (groin) has been ruled out, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
White picked up the groin injury in practice Wednesday and subsequently sat out Thursday and Friday. Even before the injury to White, Mattison had been headed for an uptick in opportunities, as Mattison's averaging 5.1 yards on 17 carries this season compared to White's paltry 3.1 YPC on 49 rushes. Ameer Abdullah and Dylan Laube also could see more touches in White's absence.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Week 4 Adds (RB Preview)
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Alexander Mattison appears to be the preferred option for the Raiders in short-yardage and on passing downs. He's scored a touchdown each week and has more than double Zamir White's Fantasy production this season. He's no more than a flex for now but could be more if he earns more work.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Scores goal-line TD in victory
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Mattison rushed four times for one yard and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-23 win over the Ravens.
The former Viking wasn't targeted in the passing game Sunday after quarterback Gardner Minshew looked his way on six separate occasions in the season opener, but Mattison was dealt a goal-line carry late in the third quarter, which he converted for a one-yard touchdown run. Aside from falling into the end zone, Mattison netted no production as the Raiders' entire backfield was stymied on the ground by the Ravens' defensive front. Both Mattison and Zamir White will look to find more space to run at home against a struggling Panthers team in Week 3.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Sleeper RBs
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One of the bigger surprises in Week 1 was Mattison playing more snaps than Zamir White against the Chargers, and Mattison was also used as a pass catcher out of the backfield. It worked, as he caught four of six targets for 43 yards and a touchdown with five carries for 19 yards. He played 60 percent of the snaps compared to 38 percent for White, and we'll see what happens in Week 2 at Baltimore. Given the likely game script of the Raiders playing from behind, Mattison can be considered a flex option in PPR.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Week 2 Adds (RB Preview)
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Oh, how the turntables. Remember when Mattison was the presumed starter in Minnesota, got drafted way too high in Fantasy Football, and then lost his job by midseason? In Week 1 it was Mattison outplaying Zamir White, scoring a touchdown, and looking like the best back in Las Vegas. Mattison is the clear passing downs back and I would bet on the Raiders playing from behind in Week 2. Mattison could be a PPR flex this week and could be the best back for the Raiders for the rest of the season.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Week 2 Waiver Priority List
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Mattison played more snaps than Zamir White in Week 1 at the Chargers (36-23), and we'll see if that's a sign of things to come. Mattison did well in the passing game with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown on six targets, and he also added five carries for 19 yards. We'll see what happens for the Raiders in Week 2 at Baltimore, but if Las Vegas is trailing then Mattison could again have an expanded role. He's worth adding for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Unremarkable with six touches
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Mattison rushed five times for 15 yards and secured one of two targets for six yards in the Raiders' 27-12 preseason loss to the Cowboys on Saturday night. He also returned one kickoff for 23 yards.
Mattison worked as the second running back in behind Zamir White, a hierarchy that's expected to be mirrored during the regular season. Mattison shouldn't need any additional reps to get ready for the regular season and will be a valuable complementary presence, so he's likely to sit out of the Raiders' preseason finale against the 49ers on Friday night.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: In line for No. 2 RB role
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Mattison profiles as Zamir White's top backup at running back, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.
Following the free-agent departure of Josh Jacobs, White is the team's presumed lead back and figures to handle the bulk of the carries, likely leaving Mattison without much fantasy value unless the 24-year-old suffers an injury (or struggles and eventually gets benched). Meanwhile, Reed indicates that Ameer Abdullah and rookie Dylan Laube are still competing for third-down RB duties, although Mattison handled some of those snaps with the first-team offense in Vegas' preseason opener against Minnesota.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Set to join Las Vegas backfield
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Mattison is in line to sign with the Raiders, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
In 16 games for the Vikings during the 2023 regular season, Mattison had 180 carries for 700 yards and caught 30 of his 44 targets for 192 yards and three receiving TDs. With the Raiders, Mattison -- who turns 26 in June -- is slated to provide the team with needed backfield depth and a complementary option alongside 2022 fourth-rounder Zamir White following the free-agent departure of Josh Jacobs. Assuming White serves as Las Vegas' top RB option, Mattison's weekly upside will be modest, but if White is injured or struggles at all as the 2024 season progresses, Mattison could reenter the fantasy lineup equation.
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Alexander Mattison: Officially released by Minnesota
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The Vikings officially released Mattison on Monday.
Mattison initially was informed of his release by the team in late February, and he's now officially a free agent after having signed a two-year, $7 million deal with the team last offseason. The veteran back is coming off a solid season from a volume perspective, with 700 yards on a career-high 180 carries across 16 games, but those stats were marred by a lack of explosiveness (3.9 YPC) and turnovers, with three total fumbles, two of which were lost. Mattison has turned in three straight seasons averaging less than 4.0 YPC. In the meantime, Minnesota should be in the market for backfield options to join Ty Chandler.
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Vikings' Alexander Mattison: Handles eight touches in finale
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Mattison rushed seven times for 24 yards and caught his lone target for five yards in Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Lions.
Mattison continued to operate as the backup running back behind Ty Chandler, concluding a disappointing season for the former player. In 16 appearances, the 25-year-old carried 180 times for 700 yards (3.9 average) and failed to find the end zone as a rusher. Mattison did, however, score three times as a receiver while compiling 30 catches for 192 yards.Though he signed a two-year, $7 million contract last offseason while Minnesota eventual cut incumbent starter Dalvin Cook, Mattison's future atop the depth chart for the Vikings looks murky at best. Chandler will presumably slot ahead of Mattison heading into the start of the offseason program, though it wouldn't be surprising if the Vikings looked to upgrade the position group through the 2024 NFL Draft, free agency or trade.
