Dalvin Cook is one of the premier running backs in the NFL. Sadly, he has not appeared in even 70% of games in his first four seasons in the NFL. This season, he has missed two games and is set to miss at least two more with a dislocated shoulder. There are two lessons to learn here. It is time to stop counting on Dalvin Cook to be that top fantasy player he was in 2020 and if someone drafts Dalvin Cook, handcuff Alexander Mattison.
Alexander Mattison is set to be the lead back for the next two weeks for the Minnesota Vikings. Someone like me handcuffed Mattison in my home league for two months. I thought I was patient enough until I dropped Mattison in desperate need of an Alvin Kamara filler two weeks ago. I played myself. Now, Mattison is an RB1 this week and for the time being with Cook being out.
The Cook is out
Mattison has had a handful of opportunities to show what he has to offer. He fills in for a game or two and then back to his reserve role. I am here to say that Dalvin Cook should be sidelined for the remainder of the year. Lingering issues for a top player in this league with the Vikings having a slim to none chance of making noise if they make the playoffs. Cook should be put on IR and given this time to get back to 100% for the 2022 season.
Alexander the Great
This is my bold take that Alexander Mattison will be a league winner with Dalvin being sidelined. The games where Mattison has filled in for Cook and played over 50% of the snaps, good things happened. Mattison has surpassed 15 points each time when handling over 50% of the snaps. Three of those games, Mattison put up over 23 points.
In one of those games, which took place this season, Mattison faced the Detroit Lions and had 25 carries, 113 rushing yards, seven targets, seven catches, and one touchdown. Mattison finished as the NO. 6 RB in week five. Now, in week 13, Mattison will carry the load for the Vikings backfield and plays none other than the Detroit Lions. Alexander is great in passing game as well with an 84% catch rate which ranks him NO. 8.
ROS schedule
The Vikings have the sixth easiest schedule for running backs the rest of the season. With Cook being out, Mattison is a smash play every single week. A certified RB1 with the ability to make plays when the ball is in his hands. It is the most important time of the fantasy football season and waiver wire pick-ups are key to winning championships. Alexander Mattison will be a league winner and make a name for himself after this month. My last bold take for this article is that Dalvin won’t be a Viking for more than one more year. The injuries are accumulating on his body and the Vikings know they have a replacement that when given the chance can carry the load.
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