What can Alexander Mattison bring to Las Vegas?

The upcoming season for the Las Vegas Raiders will witness a transition towards a running back by committee approach, with the acquisition of free agent Alexander Mattison poised to play a significant role in the team’s backfield dynamics in 2024. To delve deeper into Mattison’s potential impact, Silver and Black Pride collaborated with the Daily Norseman, with Christopher Gates offering insights into the former Minnesota Viking through a series of five questions.

When asked about Mattison’s running style, Gates characterized him as primarily a between-the-tackles runner, albeit one who faces challenges in generating yardage independently. While he possesses the capacity to exploit available gaps for moderate gains, his agility in shifting directions and creating opportunities when faced with defensive pressure is notably limited. Despite occasional bursts of effectiveness, Mattison often finds himself halted for fewer yards compared to counterparts with greater maneuverability in similar scenarios.

Reflecting on Mattison’s role progression within the Vikings, Gates highlighted a shift in expectations following Dalvin Cook’s departure during the previous offseason. While it appeared that Mattison was positioned to assume the mantle of the primary ball carrier, this transition failed to materialize as anticipated. Gates suggested that Mattison’s diminishing involvement towards the latter part of the season stemmed from various factors, including potential performance inconsistencies or adjustments in the team’s offensive strategies.