Dalvin Cook – Five Landing Spots for Fantasy Football

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On June 8, Dalvin Cook was released by the Minnesota Vikings.

After weeks of rumors, Dalvin Cook has been released by the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings had been shopping Cook nearly all offseason. The team seems to be comfortable with Alexander Mattison. The move also opens up $11 million in cap space for a team that will be looking to extend fantasy superstar Justin Jefferson.

As for Cook, he has been a shell of his former self since 2020, when he finished as the RB3 in fantasy football standard formats and RB2 in PPR leagues. In 2021, he missed time due to a shoulder injury in Week 12, but last year he missed no time.

The emergence of Justin Jefferson as well as the acquisition of TE T.J. Hockenson during the season led to Cooks’ sign of decline. Despite that, Cook still finished as a top-12 back fantasy-wise. There are teams around the league that could use his services. While other running backs may be left waiting to be picked up, it is more of a matter of when and not if Dalvin Cook gets signed.

Already Interested in Dalvin Cook – The Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have already shown interest in upgrading their running back room with Dalvin Cook. As per Albert Breer, the Vikings and Dolphins were extremely close to a trade back in March. The trade did not happen and the ‘Phins went on to select Texas A&M running back De’Von Achane in the third round of the 2023 draft.

Now the Dolphins can get him without sacrificing any capital. With $14 million in cap space, they can offer a deal easily. In Miami, Cook would be paired with one of the best offensive minds in the league, Mike McDaniel. Opposing offenses will still have to focus on Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle while McDaniel schemes Dalvin into open space. Cook is also not a stranger to sharing a backfield, and the Dolphins could use Achane, who already has issues about size, as a complimentary piece.

Dynasty Fantasy Football Market Reaction
  • Cook – slightly up
  • Tua – Up
  • Waddle & Hill – Neutral
  • Achane – To the taxi squad

The Best Kitchens have multiple Cooks

The Bills have not had a 1,000-yard rusher since LeSean McCoy in 2017. To say their rushing attack could use an upgrade is an understatement. They did sign running back Damien Harris this offseason, but it’s only a one-year deal, showing that they can make the attempt to get a franchise back in Cook for at least two years. The Bills also still have around $7 million in cap space to be able to use on a deal with Cook.

 

The Bills have become a more pass-first offense with the emergence of their franchise QB Josh Allen, but Cook has been shown to be able to be a part of a team’s passing attack, averaging around 50 targets a season. Going from Kirk Cousins to Josh Allen may cause Cook’s rushing usage to decrease, as Allen is a mobile option, but will elevate his ability in the receiving game.

Now to address the elephant in the room: the Bills’ current RB1 is Dalvin’s younger brother James Cook. The younger Cook is receiving the Twitter darling treatment this offseason. Last year it was his teammate Gabe Davis. Dalvin could provide veteran leadership for at least a season, and will again offer a 1-2 punch similar to Cook and Mattison in Minnesota.

Dynasty Fantasy Football Market Reaction
  • Dalvin Cook – Up
  • Josh Allen – Neutral
  • James Cook – is down
  • Damien Harris – on the waiver wire

Jerry World Replaces ‘Feed Me’ with ‘The Chef’

The Cowboys elected to allow Ezekiel Elliott to leave this past offseason. In his place, they gave Tony Pollard the franchise tag. Pollard’s size could question his ability to be an every-down back. He also is healing a broken leg he suffered last year against the 49ers. Grabbing Dalvin will allow the Cowboys to alleviate some worries about Pollards’ health.  The team currently has 20 million available to spend.

 

While this signing may take a hit on Pollard’s fantasy football value, don’t expect it to be a major hit. Both running backs have been able to produce in committees before. If anything this only increases Daks’ value. Dak would have another weapon to target. The running back this probably hurts the most is Deuce Vaughn, relegating him to more of a special teams player. 
Dynasty Fantasy Football Market Reaction
  • Pollard – Slight decrease
  • Cook – Neutral
  • Dak – slight increase
  • Deuce Vaghn – Heavy decrease

C-O-O-K to the J-E-T-S

The New York Jets already made improvements to their offense. They acquired Aaron Rodgers in a trade with the Green Bay Packers earlier this offseason. Early reports coming out suggest that they are looking to add to their backfield which already has Breece Hall and Michael Carter. 

A Dalvin signing would look to indicate that Hall’s injury might be more serious than earlier reported. If the Jets do grab Cook, see a slight decline to Hall and an even higher decline to any other running back in the system. 

Dynasty Fantasy Football Market Reaction
  • Hall – Slight decline
  • All other Jet RBs – No fantasy value

Dalvin Cook Nation, Let’s Ride?

My dark horse candidate for Cook would be the Broncos. The Broncos are interested in Cooks’ services, and new HC Sean Payton is known for his two RB systems in New Orleans. Easing Javonte Williams back from his injury should also be a concern for a Broncos offense, that outside of Jerry Jeudy, was extremely lackluster. 

 

Acquiring Cook will also help surround Russell Wilson with more weapons. Expect to see marginal changes to fantasy football value for the Broncos’ offensive weapons, but after 2022 the Broncos shouldn’t be held to many expectations. 
Dynasty Fantasy Football Market Reaction
  • Cook – Slight increase (more dedicated usage)
  • Everyone else – moderate shifts but overall nothing crazy

Randy Vuxta (@RandallVuxta) is a beat writer covering sports picks and dynasty/redraft content for The League Winners with a little over a decade playing fantasy football. Before joining the staff, he studied Journalism and Sports Business management and created The Randy Report, a YouTube channel dedicated to covering all things sports. When he’s not watching game film or the latest Marvel release, he can be found on Twitch streaming everything from Spider-Man to NBA2K. Randy looks to not only win every league he joins, but help others achieve that goal as well.

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