2024’s NFL free agency is in full swing, and the Las Vegas Raiders remain active in the open market. On Monday, the team agreed to terms with another free agent, this time landing now-former Vikings running back Alexander Mattison.
Mattison, who posted a career-high 180 rushing attempts in 2023, has carried the ball at least 100 times during three separate campaigns. For Luke Getsy, the Raiders’ new offensive coordinator, that mark holds significance. In both 2022 and 2023, three players totaled at least 100 rushing attempts under Getsy in Chicago.
Keeping the above information in mind, it’s no secret that Alexander Mattison will play a big part in the team’s rushing attack this upcoming season. Exactly how big of a part will he play, though?
To pinpoint Mattison’s [presumed] usage with the Raiders in 2024, one must first understand how the organization views Zamir White.
At this stage in the offseason, two things have happened that directly translate to Las Vegas’ vision with Zamir White: 2022 first-team All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs left for Green Bay with little fight from the Raiders, and the team sat back and waited while all ‘premier’ free agent running backs found homes elsewhere. All-in-all, both of these things are a testament to White, who the organization trusted enough to not replace with names such as Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, Derrick Henry, D’Andre Swift, or a Telesco-favorite in Austin Ekeler.
Las Vegas could’ve even got in on Joe Mixon, who was released from Cincinnati after the above names found homes, but chose to stay pat. In conclusion? Zamir White is the future in Sin City – for now.
Mattison should still see plenty of time on the field, however. Luke Getsy believes in a committee, and Mattison has proved he can handle a bulk of carries.
What are the Las Vegas Raiders getting in Alexander Mattison?
Sin City’s new offensive coordinator loves spreading the rock on the ground, with three runners totaling at least 100 rushing attempts under his system in both ’22 and ’23. In three of his five years as a pro, Mattison has reached that 100-carry mark. The fit with Getsy is clear.
But there’s more to the Raiders’ new running back than the multitude of carries he’s proved he can handle.
As a rookie, Mattison ran the football exactly 100 times in 2019. His 4.6 average yards per carry (career-high) was the 12th-highest among the 45 running backs with at least 100 rushing attempts. Although 44 backs totaled more carries than Mattison, the former third-rounder showed his explosiveness by racking up nine carries of 15+ yards; the 18th-most league-wide.
That was then; 2023 was Mattison’s latest campaign, and it was one he’d like to forget.
The former Viking posted 700 yards and zero touchdowns on 180 rushing attempts. With only 28 first downs, 45 players league-wide moved the chains more on the ground than Mattison.
As the premier running back in Minnesota, things didn’t go as expected. While it’s easy to point at the lackluster results from 2023, it’s important to understand that won’t be Mattison’s role with the Raiders. The 25-year-old will have fresh(er) legs often behind Zamir White.
Mattison has proved he can produce when behind a productive RB1. If Zamir can pick up where he left off in 2023, the two should make a formidable duo.
*Top Photo: Getty Images