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One of the most interesting backfields in the NFL this season is in Minnesota, where the Vikings don't really have a clear answer for who will back up Alexander Mattison. After the team moved on from Dalvin Cook, Mattison has been elevated to a larger role, and now Mattison's old role is up for grabs.
Will it be Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, or DeWayne McBride that earns that role? Let's take a look at recent updates to get a sense of who will have the role.
Who is the leader to back up Vikings starting running back Alexander Mattison? Read the latest fantasy football news.
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Who Is The Vikings Backup Running Back?
With Dalvin Cook gone, Alexander Mattison has been elevated to the starting running back role in Minnesota. Now, the question is who out of Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, or DeWayne McBride earns that backup role.
McBride is a rookie, while Chandler and Nwangwu played small roles for the Vikings last season. Nwangwu had nine carries for 14 yards and two catches for 21 yards, while Chandler had six carries for 20 yards.
Nwangwu had more carries last year, but he's been injured this preseason, which has put him behind Ty Chandler so far in the battle for the role.
Chandler has played meaningful snaps in the preseason and has played well in the team's two preseason games so far.
As for McBride, he's also had some good moments this preseason, but hasn't been playing early in preseason games, which is a bad sign for his chances of having a meaningful role to begin the season.
While he's buried on the depth chart right now, McBride is a name to monitor in dynasty leagues because of the potentially fluid nature of this backfield over the next few seasons.
Minnesota Vikings Running Back Fantasy Football Outlooks
The fantasy football outlook in Minnesota depends on how closely Mattison's role looks like Dalvin Cook's role. Cook dominated this backfield when he was healthy with the Vikings, but will Mattison be on the field as much as Cook was?
It's one of the biggest questions in fantasy football this year, and people are on both sides. Some think Mattison will break out. Others think Mattison will disappoint and that the other backs will get opportunities.
I'm more on the side of Mattison having a fairly commanding lead in this backfield, with him not ceding too much work to the other backs. For that reason, I don't view Chandler, Nwangwu, or McBride as major fantasy options.
Of the three, Chandler is the clear top option in fantasy. He's RotoBaller's RB60 in half-PPR and has a low floor because he may have a small role, but his talent gives him RB4 upside if he can siphon off touches from Mattison.
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