The Athletic's Alec Lewis points out that Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler is turning heads at mandatory minicamp this week, and that fans should keep an eye on him heading into the 2024 season. "I see us as having a one-two punch at running back (alongside Aaron Jones)," defensive tackle Harrison Phillips said, "almost like they have in Detroit. I don't know if that's what's happening on the offensive side, but I know that we have two true No. 1 running backs. I'd buy stock in Ty Chandler if I could." Aaron Jones is the starter in Minnesota's backfield, but the 26-year-old Chandler should have an increased role off the bench after he started the last four games in 2023 and was very productive. Jones' history with injuries makes Chandler a very enticing handcuff pick in fantasy drafts this fall.
After the release of running back Alexander Mattison on Thursday, Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler is the team's starter at the position. After the release of Dalvin Cook, Mattison operated as Minnesota's lead back in 2023, taking 180 carries for 700 yards and no rushing touchdowns. Chandler, a former fifth-round pick in 2022, served as a complementary back and saw 102 rushing attempts for 461 yards (4.5 yards per carry) and three rushing scores, adding 21 receptions for 159 additional yards in his second season. The 25-year-old was more efficient than Mattison and should have a bigger role in Minnesota's backfield in 2024, but the Vikings will likely look to add to their RB through the offseason, through either the draft or free agency, or both.
Ty Chandler Totals 89 Scrimmage Yards In Season Finale
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler had a strong showing in Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Detroit Lions in the Week 18 regular season finale. Chandler had a team-high 12 carries for 69 yards (5.8 yards per carry) and caught two of his three targets through the air for an additional 20 yards. The 25-year-old second-year back was impressive against a strong Lions run defense and proved down the stretch that the Vikings probably should have gone to Chandler more often earlier in the season over Alexander Mattison. In four starts to close out the year, Chandler averaged 4.87 yards per tote, 258 rushing yards and two touchdowns while also catching eight passes for 69 yards. Going into the offseason, Chandler's fantasy stock will be on the rise as he makes his case to be Minnesota's primary ball-carrier in 2024.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler can be left on the bench in most fantasy leagues ahead of his Week 18 game versus the Detroit Lions. A variety of factors contribute to Chandler's lack of reliability this week, including a very difficult matchup. The Lions' defense has surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs, holding them to an average of just 58.4 rushing yards per game. Furthermore, Chandler continues to split snaps with Alexander Mattison. The 25-year-old played just 57 percent of offensive snaps last week, accruing 40 rushing and 24 receiving yards. Fantasy managers preparing for the final week of the season should look elsewhere for production at the running back position.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler fell out of the game plan in Week 17's 33-10 blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers, rushing 10 times for 40 yards and catching each of his three targets for 24 yards. The Vikings didn't stay competitive for particularly long on Sunday night, exiting the first half with a quarterback change and a 23-3 deficit. Chandler still out-touched a healthy Alexander Mattison 13-5 despite getting phased out in the second half, which is something that fantasy managers can at least consider a moral victory. Chandler's rise to the top of Minnesota's depth chart seemed to come at the right time for those who scooped him up off waiver wires for the fantasy playoffs, but his 157-yard, one-touchdown Week 15 ended up being his only difference-making effort since taking over the backfield. The speedy 25-year-old hopes his team can avoid operating in catch-up mode for Week 18 versus the Detroit Lions.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler will look to keep rolling in Week 17 as he faces a Packers run defense that has allowed the third-most rushing yards this season with 2,039. Chandler had just eight carries for 17 yards last week, but the North Carolina product has found the end zone in back-to-back games since taking over as the lead back in the Minnesota offense. Alexander Mattison handled just two carries in Week 16 and was limited in practice due to an ankle ailment this week, so fantasy managers can treat Chandler as a borderline RB2/FLEX option on Sunday night.
Ty Chandler Nearly Craters Week 16 Fantasy Lineups
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler maintained his stay atop the depth chart despite Alexander Mattison's (ankle) return in Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Detroit Lions, but he ran for just 17 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Chandler nearly left with a disaster in Week 16 but rushed to the right for a two-yard score in the first quarter, which was about the only notable aspect of his afternoon. His usage was very disappointing, since Mattison went backwards on his two carries. But on a day where Minnesota was playing behind, Nick Mullens recklessly let it rip 36 times for 411 yards, two TDs, and four picks. Fantasy managers can at least hang their hats on Chandler's lead role even with Mattison back in the picture, but it should be said that the Vikings reportedly planned a reduced workload for Mattison from the get-go. As it stands, Chandler is on the RB2 radar in Week 17 versus the Green Bay Packers.
The Minnesota Vikings are expected to "ride" Ty Chandler in Week 16, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. While Alexander Mattison (hamstring) is expected to be active, he apparently won't return to his starting role. After all, he is less than 100 percent and struggled when healthy while Chandler dominated to the tune of 157 total yards and one touchdown last weekend. Although the exact dynamics of this backfield split are unclear, Chandler should handle the majority of Minnesota's offensive snaps and carries, putting him in the RB3 tier for fantasy football despite a tough matchup against the Detroit Lions. Mattison, on the other hand, can be benched in most formats.
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler will look to keep rolling in Week 16 after his first start of the season last week, where he got loose for 132 rushing yards and a touchdown versus the Bengals. The Vikings are expected to keep Chandler heavily involved in the offense this week as Alexander Mattison (ankle) continues to nurse his ankle injury, but he will have his work cut out for him against a Lions defense that has allowed just 3.8 yards per carry this season. Despite the tough matchup, the explosive North Carolina product should be able to provide fantasy managers with RB2 value as we continue through the fantasy playoffs.
The Minnesota Vikings leaned on Alexander Mattison for most of the season. But following his absence in Week 15, Ty Chandler exploded for a career day. He rushed 23 times for 132 yards and one touchdown while catching three passes for 25 yards. That performance could help him land the Vikings top running back role moving forward. On Wednesday, head coach Kevin O'Connell also spoke highly of Chandler and said "We're kind of building with the mindset that Ty's going to be a guy that we're trying to get the ball to a lot, both in the run and pass." Even if Mattison, who's nursing an ankle injury, does play in Week 16, Chandler should remain heavily involved on offense.
