19 March 2024 , 07:00
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NFL running back Alexander Mattison will join the Las Vegas Raiders, with the team securing his signature following a private meeting with him and representatives. He could replace Josh Jacobs, now on the Green Bay Packers, as the lead rusher for the franchise.
Mattison met with the Raiders on Monday. However, Bleacher Report wrote that "multiple teams" were also interested in the 25-year-old player.
The Minnesota Vikings chose Mattison in the 2019 NFL Draft. He was picked 78 places after the Raiders chose Jacobs.
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Mattison mostly played second fiddle to Dalvin Cook for four years, but last season he got to be the main back for the Vikings.
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But being the go-to guy didn't quite go as hoped for Mattison in 2023. He played 16 games and started 13 times, running 700 yards, getting 3.9 yards each time he ran with the ball, and failing to score a rushing touchdown.
He did a bit better catching the ball, scoring three times, but he also dropped the ball twice, which is the most he's ever done in one season.
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The Raiders have scheduled a meeting with Alexander Mattison (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)As the season progressed, Mattison didn't get to play as much because Ty Chandler, who was picked in the draft last year, was playing better. Despite being only 25 and having plenty of energy left, Mattison was let go by the Vikings on March 4. This happened even though he had signed a two-year extension with Minnesota just last season.
The Vikings didn't waste any time in finding a new RB1, signing former Packer Aaron Jones to a one-year contract worth $7 million. Green Bay made an early splash in free agency, agreeing a four-year deal with Jacobs worth $48 million.
After losing Jacobs, who was the NFL's top rusher in 2022 with 1,653 yards, the Raiders waited to make a big move to boost their running back position. Although Las Vegas did re-sign Ameer Abdullah and also have Zamir White on the team, both are seen more as support backs than lead backs.
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The Raiders have made quite a few changes to their team this offseason. They released quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow to free up more cap space.
The team also signed experienced quarterback Gardner Minshew (two years, $25 million) and star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (four years, $110 million). Mattison could be a great addition to the team, supporting Minshew or even a new quarterback.
The Raiders, who have the No. 13 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, might be looking to select a QB in the first round. They could be considering players like J.J. McCarthy from Michigan, Bo Nix from Oregon or Michael Penix Jr. from Washington.
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