What to do with the MN backfield?

[PigeonBoys]

As an avid Vikings fan I keep hearing from local folks that they expect Cook to be gone post June 1 and there's a lot of smoke leading me to believe that's coming to fruition. Having that said, Mattison will almost assuredly be the lead in that scenario and they may bring in a cheap FA considering some of the talent still out there. One guy I've got my eye on who's value might take a short term bump is Ty Chandler. He looks like the only one on the roster that may be able to fulfill the receiving back role. McBride seems like he's a two down grinder that would compete for Mattison's role. Nwangwu seems like he's probably best staying on the special teams side as he's very valuable there. I wanted to see if anyone had any other way to decipher this situation so we can maybe pounce on some opportunity before the actual news hits.

[abloom]

I think Mattison value right now assumes he has the lead role and cooks value assumes he's out. Given that I would rather try to acquire cook cheaply and hope he does land somewhere he can contribute.

The other guys I guess it's worth investing if you have the roster spots but I doubt they have much value in 2024 and beyond.

[moishetreats]

I'm surprised Chandler is getting so little press. As a Vikings fan, PigeonBoys, do you know of any reason for that? Mattison, to my eyes, has looked inconsistent -- a baller at times and a JAG at others. Chandler profiles well to me. What do you see / hear?

[PigeonBoys]

I'm surprised Chandler is getting so little press. As a Vikings fan, PigeonBoys, do you know of any reason for that? Mattison, to my eyes, has looked inconsistent -- a baller at times and a JAG at others. Chandler profiles well to me. What do you see / hear?

Completely agree with your inconsistency assessment, that's exactly how I feel about Mattison. IMO Mattison is best used as a two down guy, with someone else mixing in that has a better athletic profile. I just waivered Chandler just to see how things shake out, I mean 4.3 speed at 200+lbs and drafted by current regime, it's worth a dart throw to me. IMO nobody really knows how Kwesi operates as we're all used to the ground and pound game Zimmer and beyond employed. Minny hasn't been a pass first team since Randy Moss was wearing purple. So now we're left wondering what the plan is whereas in years past we all knew what the gameplan was because it was obvious.

You're right, there's no a lot of Chandler chatter out there but who's going to play behind Mattison as he's not a 3 down RB? I at least see a path to playing time and I'm not a huge Mattison fan so I see a scenario where they have an RBBC and go hot hand like many of the more modern NFL offenses out there.

[hockeyBjj]

I'm surprised Chandler is getting so little press. As a Vikings fan, PigeonBoys, do you know of any reason for that? Mattison, to my eyes, has looked inconsistent -- a baller at times and a JAG at others. Chandler profiles well to me. What do you see / hear?

I was really surprised Mattison didn't end up somewhere else to be a 1A in a committee, and then he ended up back on Vikings for far cheaper than I expected. He doesn't catch much, but I had thought he was a better than average 2 down back.

Ty tho, he's a special teams guy. He'll make some catches and contribute that way but I really don't think they'll run him behind the offensive line much at all

[PigeonBoys]

I'm surprised Chandler is getting so little press. As a Vikings fan, PigeonBoys, do you know of any reason for that? Mattison, to my eyes, has looked inconsistent -- a baller at times and a JAG at others. Chandler profiles well to me. What do you see / hear?

I was really surprised Mattison didn't end up somewhere else to be a 1A in a committee, and then he ended up back on Vikings for far cheaper than I expected. He doesn't catch much, but I had thought he was a better than average 2 down back.

Ty tho, he's a special teams guy. He'll make some catches and contribute that way but I really don't think they'll run him behind the offensive line much at all

Here's the issue and I agree that Chandler is more of a special teamer all things considered; however, their depth chart is Cook, Mattison, Chandler, McBride, Nwangwu. If they don't add significant help to the RB room, I don't see how Chandler doesn't have a somewhat defined role. FWIW I like McBride more than Chandler but he doesn't seem to provide much that Mattison doesn't already offer. My questions about Chandler's role almost entirely is because of the depth chart if Cook were gone, I see Chandler providing something nobody else does at the moment.

[moishetreats]

Thanks for your reflections and thoughts, PB. Very helpful. I appreciate them!

[Cameron Giles]

Mattison will be the guy. I think with backfields like this, I'd rather just steer to the cheaper option and see what happens. Ty Chandler and DeWayne McBride are both essentially free in leagues right now.

[frerichs5]

Vikings fan here also. It was only preseason, but Chandler looked like their best RB last preseason (Cook didn’t play). Of course, it’s always tougher to evaluate when he is playing with and against the players deeper on the roster. I definitely think Mattison will be the lead guy, but Chandler will have a role.

[killer_of_giants]

I'd rather just steer to the cheaper option and see what happens.

this!

[Shcritters]

Well, I've got both Cook and Mattison on a top team in my league, so I'm holding both hoping that Cook stays (if he's healthy he's a top 10 back) or gets cut, goes to Miami, and Mattison takes the top role (greedily looking at 2 startable backs).

Knew the day was coming... but Cook has been good in MN. As a Vikes fan a little sad to see him likely going, but totally understand given the nature of the position and the cap limitations (same thing for Theilen).

[PigeonBoys]

Well, I've got both Cook and Mattison on a top team in my league, so I'm holding both hoping that Cook stays (if he's healthy he's a top 10 back) or gets cut, goes to Miami, and Mattison takes the top role (greedily looking at 2 startable backs).

Knew the day was coming... but Cook has been good in MN. As a Vikes fan a little sad to see him likely going, but totally understand given the nature of the position and the cap limitations (same thing for Theilen).

Agree as a Vikings fan, I'd rather see him stay on the vikes. I don't really understand the Cook camp at this point, Vikings have asked him to take a pay cut to stay on the team but he won't take a pay cut apparently. But if he gets cut I can guarantee he's taking a pay cut anyway so I'm not sure what leverage the Cook camp has at this point. Unless bridges have been burned I guess but Vikings have been pretty straightforward this offseason with their vets, take a pay cut or we're going to cut you is the message (Thielen, Kendricks, Tomlinson, Peterson, etc.)

[Jigga94]

Well, I've got both Cook and Mattison on a top team in my league, so I'm holding both hoping that Cook stays (if he's healthy he's a top 10 back) or gets cut, goes to Miami, and Mattison takes the top role (greedily looking at 2 startable backs).

Knew the day was coming... but Cook has been good in MN. As a Vikes fan a little sad to see him likely going, but totally understand given the nature of the position and the cap limitations (same thing for Theilen).

Agree as a Vikings fan, I'd rather see him stay on the vikes. I don't really understand the Cook camp at this point, Vikings have asked him to take a pay cut to stay on the team but he won't take a pay cut apparently. But if he gets cut I can guarantee he's taking a pay cut anyway so I'm not sure what leverage the Cook camp has at this point. Unless bridges have been burned I guess but Vikings have been pretty straightforward this offseason with their vets, take a pay cut or we're going to cut you is the message (Thielen, Kendricks, Tomlinson, Peterson, etc.)

Well if the Vikings were to cut him post June 1, they have a 5m dead cap hit this year and 3m next year. Yes, they would save 9m this year, but maybe they do want Dalvin back, just want to compromise on price since 14m is very high for an aging RB

[ericanadian]

Well, I've got both Cook and Mattison on a top team in my league, so I'm holding both hoping that Cook stays (if he's healthy he's a top 10 back) or gets cut, goes to Miami, and Mattison takes the top role (greedily looking at 2 startable backs).

Knew the day was coming... but Cook has been good in MN. As a Vikes fan a little sad to see him likely going, but totally understand given the nature of the position and the cap limitations (same thing for Theilen).

Agree as a Vikings fan, I'd rather see him stay on the vikes. I don't really understand the Cook camp at this point, Vikings have asked him to take a pay cut to stay on the team but he won't take a pay cut apparently. But if he gets cut I can guarantee he's taking a pay cut anyway so I'm not sure what leverage the Cook camp has at this point. Unless bridges have been burned I guess but Vikings have been pretty straightforward this offseason with their vets, take a pay cut or we're going to cut you is the message (Thielen, Kendricks, Tomlinson, Peterson, etc.)

I think for most running backs, they’re very aware of how much they are underpaid in their first 4-5 years in the league and when the team that reaped that gain asks them to be reasonable about current salary, it can lead to some bad blood. He may also just want to play somewhere else. No offense to Minnesota, but if Miami is on my list of alternatives…

[murphysxm]

I think if Cook is gone, there is very little chance Minn doesn't sign one of the 12-15 decent backs looking for a job