Indicating on multiple occasions he plans to take his time during his first go-round in free agency, Dalvin Cook is surveying the field. The six-year Vikings running back is believed to have attracted interest from a few teams, but the market has not produced many known suitors yet.
When determining a Cook destination, it is probably logical to start with the Dolphins. Cook is a Miami native who dropped a bit of a hint about his hopes after the Vikings released him. Mutual interest is believed to exist between these parties, and while the Dolphins are not planning to give Cook a contract on par with the $12.6MM-per-year deal he signed with the Vikes back in 2020, they are expected to make an offer.
Miami adding Cook would crowd its backfield, given the re-signings of ex-Mike McDaniel 49ers charges Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, along with Myles Gaskin (though, Gaskin’s deal contains no guarantees). The team also drafted Texas A&M’s Devon Achane in Round 3. Cook would fit in on a Dolphins team loading up around Tua Tagovailoa‘s rookie contract. Tyreek Hill‘s deal represents the only notable skill-position contract on Miami’s payroll, and Tagovailoa is due to count only $9.63MM against the team’s cap this season. Next year becomes trickier, with Tua’s fifth-year option bumping his cap number to $23.17MM.
Elsewhere in the AFC East, the Jets have not exactly made their desperation a secret. They have brought in three veteran skill cogs already, in Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman and Randall Cobb, to team with Aaron Rodgers. New York features a question at running back, with Breece Hall coming off ACL surgery. But the 2022 second-round pick is on track to be ready for Week 1. The Jets have Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight and fifth-round rookie Israel Abanikanda. The Bills appear less needy, having signed Damien Harris and Latavius Murray. But the team does roster Dalvin’s younger brother, James Cook, and is aiming to capitalize on a Super Bowl window that has been open for years.
Beyond the competitive AFC East, the Bengals loom as an interesting option. They are still planning to seek a Joe Mixon pay cut. A refusal by the six-year starter would deal a blow to a locked-and-loaded offense, but in the event the $12MM-per-year back balks, the Bengals would check Cook boxes of a contender with a clear need. That said, Mixon would not have many options were he to refuse a cut. It will be interesting to see how much of a reduction Cincy requests.
The Ravens have seen their J.K. Dobbins–Gus Edwards backfield plan thrown off course by injuries, and considering the aggressive moves to bolster a long-shaky receiver situation, would Baltimore consider a veteran back without major injury questions? Cook has said he is recovered from the February shoulder surgery he underwent. The Browns are likely to explore the addition of a Nick Chubb backup, though the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot notes the team is unlikely to chase a Cook- or Ezekiel Elliott-level back for this role.
The NFC East profiles as another division to watch here. Elliott remains in play to return to Dallas on a significant pay reduction; Cook would be an upgrade on the popular Cowboy. But how much money would the team be comfortable shelling out during an offseason in which it tagged Tony Pollard at $10.9MM? Washington has Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson rostered, but the team is looking into former Eric Bieniemy Chiefs charge Kareem Hunt. Cook may need to compromise on his interest in landing with a contender, given the uncertainty surrounding likely Commanders QB1 Sam Howell. But the team’s running back interest should be factored into this equation.
Last month, the Buccaneers were connected to the pursuit of a veteran to complement Rachaad White. Cook would be overqualified for such a role, and Tampa Bay’s post-Tom Brady contender status is in question. But the Bucs, their Chase Edmonds acquisition notwithstanding, profile as a team that could stand to add a backfield piece. The Broncos initially came out as a team monitoring the four-time 1,100-yard rusher, joining the Dolphins in this regard, but they have since been mentioned as a team expected to steer clear of this market.
Kirk Cousins mentioned a potential Vikings reunion — which would need to come at a significantly reduced rate — and Cook has spoken highly of Minnesota. Though, this does not seem likely. Is there another team that should be mentioned as a Cook destination? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts on this summer free agency storyline in the comments section.
Elsewhere in the AFC East, the Jets have not exactly made their desperation a secret.
I mentioned earlier that Cook has an 8.5 yard rushing average against the Bills and a 6.66 number against the Dolphins, so the Jets should be displaying at least some interest in him.
I expect to see Cook in Miami at this time, barring any injuries, but New York is an interesting option. They got good production from all of their young backs, but only in spurts. Most of the offense is pretty young overall, with the notable exceptions of Aaron Rodgers and Duane Brown (who is beginning to show his age). I think that the Jets would fit well as a contender for Cook’s signing, but I don’t see them being as primary option. If Cook ends up there, it is because his primary options were unavailable. Otherwise, I believe that we would have heard interest rumors.
Douglas paid a lot for Rodgers cap wise, but he seems to be attempting to play it safely in terms of signing other big money veterans to follow-unlike, say, L.A., who acquired several top of the market contracts and ultimately bled for it. Cook teaming with Rodgers would be the second most interesting storyline to watch in my mind in a Jets-Cook union; the Cook Bowl between James and Dalvin would become a twice a year event. Maybe Mes. Cook can split the difference and just root for the home team every season.
Out of these options I like the ravens, but I wouldn’t sleep on the saints.
The Saints aren’t signing another RB.
Dont Sleep on Seattle
Even with K9 and Charbonnet?
Its pete Carrol..Charbonnet isnt proven..Cook runs exactly how pete loves..
That’s a scary offense if they do. I’d always have my go to madden team
Don’t get me wrong Gibson and Robinson Jr. are good backs but not elite talent both did not average over four yards a carry. They need a talented back on the Commanders that would significantly help Sam Howell.
With ownership transferring I do not see the current owners signing any big tickets deals such as Cook, but I really like the Hunt-Bieniemy reunion. K. Hunt still has tread on the tires, he could give that backfield a nice production boost.
I think the FO & coaching staff were instructed not to get a new QB this year and to role with their 5th rounder. This way the new owners would have a high draft pick, and plenty of excuses to making wholesale changes throughout the organization. It’ll be a new GM, coaching staff, owner, & QB next year in DC.
He’d look great in Buffalo, but now that Tyreek may face discipline he’s going to Miami.
I know the story RB’s getting old injured blah blah blah but imagine if they added another NFL team.
Using next to no cap space filling it up out of current free agents you’ve got
QB- Carson Wentz and Teddy B
RB- Dalvin Cook Kareem Hunt and James Robinson
WR- DeAndre Hopkins Kenny Galloday Jarvis Landry and NKeal Harry
TE- Max Williams and Cameron Brate
OL- Trai Turner Dalton Risner Rodney Hudson George Fant and Taylor Lewan
DL- Jedaveon Clowney Matt Ioannidis Nudamukong Suh and Yannick Ngakore
LB- Anthony Barr Kwon Alexander and Myles Jack
Secondary- Marcus Peters Eli Apple Adrian Amos and Logan Ryan
Not a playoff side, but probably win more games than the Texans. Cool gives you 1000 yards easy, DHop easy 1000 yards and Gallo and Landry as second options are great. Williams and Brate are serviceable. The o line is old and will show it but will do the job. That defence up front has some big names and big bodies that’ll provide pressure. LB room is rather weak but the secondary is solid.
NFL should look at expansion…
This team will need a P (Andy Lee) and K (Robbie Gold) and HC determined to make an NFL comeback (Jon Gruden). Oakland seems like a logical location since Chucky is already familiar with that venue and the Athletics are positively horrible this year.
KC seems like a good landing spot to me. They don’t really have an established RB and Cook catch catch the ball out the backfield pretty well.
Pacheco was a great 7th round rookie and unless cook will play for minimum, he doesn’t have a spot in KC.
He was fine. He split time with McKinnon (passing downs). You could make the argument that McKinnon was better. Regardless, Cook is way better and he’s a dual threat to run/catch.
Salary Cap issues are another matter which make sense. Frankly, Cook isn’t going to get a large deal at this point in the game. Better to take a 1 year prove it deal.
KC would be a great place but KC doesn’t have the salary cap to even pay him NFL minimum salary.
Every NFC team that has cap space should be making a call, as Cook can win those couple of games for you that will enable you to make the playoffs in that conference. Detroit and Carolina just might need that extra boost…