Vikings running back Dalvin Cook will be a fantasy football first-round pick in 2020, there’s no doubt about that.
If you draft Cook, it will be almost-necessary to draft his backup, Alexander Mattison, as well.
And even if you don’t have Cook, drafting Mattison is a pretty good idea.
The Vikings haven’t hid the fact that they want to be a run-first football team.
In his first three seasons, Cook has missed 19 games, so there’s certainly the injury threat that could give Mattison a bigger opportunity.
As a rookie, Mattison was better than anyone probably expected. He ran for 462 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and a touchdown to go with 10 catches for 82 yards in 13 games.
Those aren’t wild numbers, but Mattison did eclipse the 50-yard mark five times and the 60-yard mark twice.
It was unfortunate that when the Vikings held Cook out late in the season that Mattison was injured (especially during fantasy football playoffs).
Don’t overdraft for Mattison, but when it comes to backup running backs, Mattison should get a big opportunity based on the team’s offensive approach and Cook’s injury history.