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Ty Chandler

Fifth-rounder could be the next backup in Minnesota

There was a report that the Vikings have called around, exploring whether anyone had any interest in Alexander Mattison. It doesn’t surprise me. He’s in a contract year, and the Vikings have other backup options.

Mattison has done fine with his limited work over the last three years, but I don’t think the Vikings have much interest in re-signing him. They’ve got younger, cheap options available. So there’s an opportunity (if they can find a partner) to pull a Sony Michel trade, getting a draft pick for Mattison as he’s walking out the door.

Entering the preseason, I was thinking Minnesota in 2023 might roll with Kene Nwangwu. He’s raw but had an intriguing rookie season, with a pair of touchdowns on kickoff returns. Nobody else in the league did that.

But now, I’m pivoting to Ty Chandler. He’s their fifth-rounder who played his college ball at Tennessee and North Carolina. He carried 5 times for 50 yards in the game against the Raiders, and finished the season by carrying 5 times for 44 yards against the Broncos. (Not as effective in the 49ers game, with 5 for 19).

I like the look of him. I like the way he moves and cuts, finding the holes. He looks like an NFL back. Every year there are a few of the later-round running backs who stick, making an NFL impact, and he’s looking like one of those guys. I think he probably has better instincts and feel for the position than Nwangwu.

He’s a little lean (5-11, 204), but he’ll bulk up. It looks to me like Chandler probably will be Minnesota’s No. 2 tailback entering next year. Makes some sense in dynasty formats if you’re in one of those leagues with the deep rosters.

PRESEASON RUSHING LEADERS
PlayerGAttYdsAvgLgTD
Huntley, Jason (PHI)3351634.7672
Dallas, DeeJay (SEA)3281635.8271
Willis, Malik (TEN)31415911.4501
Brown, Brittain (LV)4341524.5362
Huntley, Caleb (ATL)3381383.6211
Davis, Malik (DAL)3311324.3161
Book, Ian (NO)3181216.7300
Kelly, John (CLV)3371173.2161
Blackshear, Raheem (BUF)3241164.8252
Chandler, Ty (MIN)3151137.5251
Vaughn, Ke'Shawn (TB)3291093.8172
Jackson, Justin (DET)3181096.1210
Goodson, Tyler (GB)3291073.7241
Chestnut, Julius (TEN)3261064.1291
Shampklin, Aaron (DAL)3281063.8160
Walter, Austin (LV)4231044.5221
Ingram, Keaontay (ARZ)327973.6111
Mason, Jordan (SF)319944.9170
Howell, Sam (WAS)313947.2172
Williams, Antonio (NYG)316935.8191
Mack, Marlon (HST)321904.3240
Smith, Abram (NO)329903.190
Homer, Travis (SEA)312907.5330
Ford, Jerome (CLV)319884.6411
Pierce, Dameon (HST)311867.8201
Johnson, Duke (BUF)321844.0102
Reynolds, Craig (DET)316815.1170
Harris, Kevin (NE)313806.2331
Dowdle, Rico (DAL)322803.6151
White, Zamir (LV)425783.1142
Gaskin, Myles (MIA)314785.6200
Freeman, Royce (HST)327752.8140

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index