The Vikings’ decision to hold Dalvin Cook out of most team drills in the first few days of training camp — as the running back’s agent continues to negotiate with the team on a new contract — has meant more first-team work for Alexander Mattison, the 2019 third-round pick who ran for 462 yards in a complementary role to Cook last year.
Mattison — pictured here working out with wide receiver Adam Thielen and several other players at Woodbury High School this summer — proved himself to be a better open-field runner than many expected he’d be coming out of Boise State, with four of his 100 carries gaining at least 20 yards and another 11 going for at least 10.