The Dalvin Cook Discussion Thread

[Shoreline Steamers]

Thu Jun 8 10:45am ET
Field Level Media

The Minnesota Vikings informed running back Dalvin Cook he is being released, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

The salary-slashing move has been widely anticipated since before the NFL draft in April.

Cook, who turns 28 in August, is coming off four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons and four Pro Bowl selections.

He also carried a salary cap hit of $14.1 million this season, $15.6 million in 2024 and $13.5 million in the last year of his contract in 2025.

Instead, the Vikings will take a dead cap hit of $5.1 million in 2023.

A second-round pick in 2017, Cook has rushed for 5,993 yards and 47 touchdowns and has 221 receptions for 1,794 yards and five scores in 73 career games (72 starts) in Minnesota.

Rumored landing spots for Cook during the past couple of months have included the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos.

Cook is recovering from offseason surgery to repair a shoulder injury that was originally suffered in 2019. His agency said in February that Cook is expected to be healthy for the start of the season.

The Vikings appear prepared to enter the 2023 season with Alexander Mattison as their lead back. The 2019 third-round pick rushed for 283 yards and five scores in 17 games last season. Ty Chandler and rookie DeWayne McBride are also on the depth chart.
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We all assumed it was coming. Now time for the speculation! Will he end up in Buffalo to create a "Cook Tandem"? I kinda hope not.

[YouMightDieTryin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwBS6QGsH_4

[Shoreline Steamers]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwBS6QGsH_4

Ooohhh, that would be messy too. Mostert, Wilson, Achane would not be thrilled.

[Bronco Billy]

Figure he’ll probably be looking for $11M/$12M a year. Good fit cap-wise for DAL, PHI, MIA, CLE and CIN. DEN could probably shoehorn him in. Not so good for BUF or KC.

[MFundercover]

This fall, this is very tough, this fall Dalvin is going to take his talents to south beach, and join the Miami Dolphins.

[JTLoh]

J-E-T-S!
You heard it hear first!

[Shoreline Steamers]

I'm really interested to see what kind of market develops for him. He's easily the best FA running back available. As BB mentioned, there's several teams that could create the needed cap space, just depends on if those teams see a need/fit.

Losers could be Pollard, Swift/Penny, Wilson/Mostert/Achane, Chubb, Mixon, and Javonte. No matter the eventual destination, there's going to be some unhappy FF'ers out there. Going to be a fun, nail-biting situation to watch.

[Bronco Billy]

J-E-T-S!
You heard it hear first!

With Hall, Carter and Abanikanda there right now? Is Cook willing to play STs?

[Yarnith]

I'm really interested to see what kind of market develops for him. He's easily the best FA running back available. As BB mentioned, there's several teams that could create the needed cap space, just depends on if those teams see a need/fit.

Losers could be Pollard, Swift/Penny, Wilson/Mostert/Achane, Chubb, Mixon, and Javonte. No matter the eventual destination, there's going to be some unhappy FF'ers out there. Going to be a fun, nail-biting situation to watch.

Based on his health history I would be a buyer of his backfield mates whoever they are at a lovely discount.

[j4pac]

I'm really interested to see what kind of market develops for him. He's easily the best FA running back available. As BB mentioned, there's several teams that could create the needed cap space, just depends on if those teams see a need/fit.

Losers could be Pollard, Swift/Penny, Wilson/Mostert/Achane, Chubb, Mixon, and Javonte. No matter the eventual destination, there's going to be some unhappy FF'ers out there. Going to be a fun, nail-biting situation to watch.

I think that he affects the RBs that he’d take their role. He’s not better than Chubb, and Pollard plays a different role. He’s the same guy as Mixon…so Mixon would be in trouble. He’s better than all of he Dolphins RBs and Javonte…so their value will be squashed

[Shoreline Steamers]

I'm really interested to see what kind of market develops for him. He's easily the best FA running back available. As BB mentioned, there's several teams that could create the needed cap space, just depends on if those teams see a need/fit.

Losers could be Pollard, Swift/Penny, Wilson/Mostert/Achane, Chubb, Mixon, and Javonte. No matter the eventual destination, there's going to be some unhappy FF'ers out there. Going to be a fun, nail-biting situation to watch.

Based on his health history I would be a buyer of his backfield mates whoever they are at a lovely discount.

Could be. I mean, he's definitely been hurt. He's basically missed 25% of games eligible to injury (24 of 97). Though he did manage to play all 17 in 2022 with a bum shoulder.

[Ice]

Figure he’ll probably be looking for $11M/$12M a year. Good fit cap-wise for DAL, PHI, MIA, CLE and CIN. DEN could probably shoehorn him in. Not so good for BUF or KC.

The RB market has all but collapsed. While he can still play, his efficiency has dropped 3 straight years and he is turning 28 this year. I think he will be lucky to get 6 Million.

[FantasyFreak]

Figure he’ll probably be looking for $11M/$12M a year. Good fit cap-wise for DAL, PHI, MIA, CLE and CIN. DEN could probably shoehorn him in. Not so good for BUF or KC.

The RB market has all but collapsed. While he can still play, his efficiency has dropped 3 straight years and he is turning 28 this year. I think he will be lucky to get 6 Million.

Yeah, teams aren't going to pay him 8 figures.

[Bronco Billy]

Figure he’ll probably be looking for $11M/$12M a year. Good fit cap-wise for DAL, PHI, MIA, CLE and CIN. DEN could probably shoehorn him in. Not so good for BUF or KC.

The RB market has all but collapsed. While he can still play, his efficiency has dropped 3 straight years and he is turning 28 this year. I think he will be lucky to get 6 Million.

Yep, you may be right

[MFundercover]

Regardless of what he gets paid, he will have a market unlike Zeke, fournette, and hunt