Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is officially holding out. The talented second-round pick reportedly won’t re-join his team without an extension, and the Vikings don’t exactly have that much money to go around. With Alexander Mattison already in the backfield, the Vikings could opt to trade away their star running back.
Of course, it takes two to tango, and somebody will have to be on the receiving end of a potential Dalvin Cook trade. Running backs are generally devalued in today’s NFL, but there are still a few teams that could be interested in trading for Cook.
Possible Trade Destinations for Dalvin Cook
Seattle Seahawks
The most obvious fit is the Seattle Seahawks. Despite having Russell Wilson, Pete Carroll and company believe in winning with a ground-oriented offense. Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny are both coming off season-ending injuries, and most believe that Penny will start the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Right now, the team will go into the season with a questionable Carson, the underwhelming Carlos Hyde, and fourth-round rookie Deejay Dallas. Cook would immediately upgrade this relatively weak backfield, as he’s one of the few runners in the league capable of picking up more than his blocking provides. Additionally, Cook’s pass-catching ability should only make life harder on opposing defenses.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all-in on the 2020 and 2021 seasons, and trading for Dalvin Cook could help their short-term outlook. The team is currently loaded with Tom Brady, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and the tight end duo of Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard. However, they still have a major weakness at running back, as the duo of Ronald Jones and Ke’Shawn Vaughn leave something to be desired. Cook won’t come cheap, but he’d be a dramatic upgrade that would make this offense even more unstoppable.
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins need help at just about every position, so investing in a running back might not be the smartest move. That said, head coach Ron Rivera is an old-school mind that believes in the power of a strong running attack. Derrius Guice has flashed plenty of promise during his time on the field, but he can’t be trusted to stay healthy. The options behind Guice leave a lot be desired, so acquiring Cook would solve their running back woes for years to come.
Dwayne Haskins struggled as a rookie, but started to show some signs of life down the stretch. Washington’s ultimate priority should be determining whether or not Haskins can be the future, and that starts by surrounding him with as many weapons as possible. Terry McLaurin looks like a future stud, and Cook is one of the best running backs in the county. If Haskins doesn’t show any notable growth in Year 2, then it’s time to look for somebody else.
Philadelphia Eagles
This one is admittedly a long shot, but it is within the realm of possibility. Miles Sanders looked like a starting-caliber running back during the back half of the 2019 season, but the Eagles are clearly looking for another running back. While they’ve been linked to backup-caliber guys like Devonta Freeman, the team could opt to create one of the best running back duos in the league with Sanders and Cook. Again, not likely, but possible.
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