After months of rumors, the Minnesota Vikings have finally parted ways with star running back Dalvin Cook. While four-time Pro Bowler is entering his age-28 season, he still has a good amount left in his tank and should be a good fit on a more team-friendly contract. The only question is which teams will spend up and sign the running back.
6 Teams That Should Sign Dalvin Cook
1. Miami Dolphins
Far and away the most likely team on this list, the Miami Dolphins and Dalvin Cook are a match made in heaven. As currently constructed, the Dolphins have an offense loaded with elite playmakers in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and an impressive young quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa. What they lack, however, is a consistent running game. Jeff Wilson and Raheem Mostert are better in smaller doses, and rookie running back Devon Achane is a little too small to handle a three-down workload. Dalvin Cook would immediately be the best running back on this depth chart and should help make this team even more dangerous in the highly competitive AFC East.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Nobody runs the ball less than the Kansas City Chiefs, and who can blame them when Patrick Mahomes is your quarterback? That being said, the Kansas City Chiefs would probably like somebody better than a banged-up Isiah Pacheco handling starting duties. Andy Reid prefers to have a three-down workhorse back, so Cook should see the field early and often if he lands with the Chiefs. While money will be a bit of an issue, perhaps Cook is willing to take a paycut to play for the best quarterback in the NFL.
3. Buffalo Bills
James Cook, Damien Harris, and Latavius Murray combine to form one of the most uninspired running back trios in football. While Harris is a solid early-down runner and James Cook showed some promise as a rookie, it’s easy to see that Dalvin Cook, his older brother, is a much better player. The Bills are in the midst of their Super Bowl window and should do everything they can to maximize their chances of winning it all before age officially catches up to Stefon Diggs.
4. New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara is probably going to be suspended for a sizable portion of the 2023 season, which means that New Orleans will have to trust Jamaal Williams and rookie Kendre Miller to handle backfield duties. Williams is on the older side and is coming off a season where he wasn’t nearly as good as his stats imply, while Miller is an untested Day 2 rookie. The NFC South favorites should look for a more reliable runner, and it’s hard to find anyone out there better than Dalvin Cook.
5. Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos make the cut because ESPN’s Adam Schefter listed them as one of two teams that have been “monitoring Cook for weeks“. This doesn’t bode well for Javonte Williams’ recovery from a 2022 knee injury, but if he truly isn’t himself, then this team desperately needs some help at running back. Aside from Williams, the only other running back of note on the roster is Samaje Perine, and he is much better as a change of pace back. Dalvin Cook could handle the starting job while Williams slowly works his way back to full strength.
6. Baltimore Ravens
J.K. Dobbins is a good starter when he’s on the field. However, injuries have limited the former second-round pick to just eight games over the past two seasons, and he reportedly wants a new contract. If the team can find a trade partner for J.K. Dobbins, then perhaps they decide to ship off their oft-injured running back for Dalvin Cook. Even if they keep Dobbins around, both him and backup Gus Edwards are entering contract years, so Cook could provide added security at the position for 2024.
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