Schultz: Raiders Eye Alexander Mattison as Josh Jacobs Replacement Amid NFL Rumors

After losing star running back Josh Jacobs to free agency when he signed with the Green Bay Packers, the Las Vegas Raiders are eyeing another member of the 2019 draft class as his potential replacement.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, former Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison is visiting with the Raiders on Monday. Schultz added that "multiple teams are in play" for Mattison at the moment.

The Vikings selected Mattison in the third round of the 2019 draft, two rounds after the Raiders drafted Jacobs with the No. 24 pick. After spending the first four years of his career as the primary backup to running back Dalvin Cook in Minnesota, Mattison assumed the starting role last season. Unfortunately, assuming a bigger workload didn't work out as smoothly as he'd hoped.

Mattison played 16 games with 13 starts in 2023 and totaled 180 carries for 700 yards and no touchdowns. He added 30 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns, but he also finished with three fumbles, two of which he lost. Toward the end of the season, he was forced to cede carries to Ty Chandler, a 2022 fifth-round pick.

Mattison had another year remaining on his contract after he signed a two-year extension last offseason, but the Vikings released him earlier this month.

Losing Jacobs was just one of the many moves as part of the Raiders' overhaul on offense. Las Vegas also parted ways with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and receiver Hunter Renfrow to save cap space. In positive news, the team signed veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew and prized defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.

Adding Mattison would give the Raiders a solid free-agent class that should help them compete for a playoff spot in 2024.