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New York Jets running back Dalvin Cook. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Could Jets RB Dalvin Cook return to the NFC North?

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 10/16/23

When the New York Jets signed Dalvin Cook in mid-August, the running back was touted as the final piece to a Super Bowl-contending roster. Now, just six games into his Jets tenure, the franchise may be ready to cut ties with the former Pro Bowler.

According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, teams around the NFL are "curious" to see what the Jets do with Cook and if they could deal the veteran running back before the trade deadline.

With trade chatter heating up, could a return to the NFC North be in the cards for the former Minnesota Vikings star?

For the first six years of his career, Cook was a thorn in the side of the Green Bay Packers defense, totaling 911 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns in nine games against the then-division rival. Now, the Packers potentially have an opportunity to flip the script.

The time Dalvin Cook cooked up the Packers for 4 TDs and 48.6 PPR fantasy points pic.twitter.com/k85TlceQCw
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) June 23, 2021

At 2-3 on the season, the Packers remain in the playoff race. However, they'll need their offense to improve leaps and bounds coming out of the bye week if they have hope to keep pace with the 5-1 Detroit Lions in the NFC North.

Quarterback Jordan Love is bound to take his bumps and bruises this season. Nonetheless, the running back duo of AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones hasn't done the first-year starter any favors. The former has averaged 3.0 YPC on a team-high 64 attempts and is in the final year of his contract, while the latter has averaged 29.5 rushing yards per game.

AJ Dillon’s average yards after contact ranks 72nd among RBs (2.32). Aaron Jones ranks 73rd in the same category (2.29). Combined, the duo has only forced 5 missed tackles.

On the Raiders’ side, only Spillane has missed more than 3 tackles. Matchup seems to favor Las Vegas.
— Alex Monfreda (@AlexMonfreda) October 9, 2023

Through five games, the Packers have rushed for the third-fewest yards (408) in the NFL and are one of just six teams to average fewer than 82 rushing yards per game (81.6).

Green Bay snooped around the running back market this offseason, engaging in trade talks with the Indianapolis Colts in hopes of acquiring Jonathan Taylor. More recently, they hosted former Jacksonville Jaguars 1,000-yard rusher James Robinson for a workout.

It's evident the Packers are seeking an upgrade in their backfield. While Cook's production this season (109 rushing yards) has underwhelmed, it's difficult to condemn a player who has attempted just 26 carries over the last five games — especially when that player is coming off four consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns.

Cook's $7M salary is far from cheap for a running back, although the trade compensation should be bearable considering his early-season struggles. Overall, Cook is worth taking a flyer on at a buy-low rate if the Packers are debating moving on from Dillon in the near future.

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