Four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook might finally be getting that trade we’ve been hearing about for months now. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, a trade is “very possible, and could happen by the end of the week.” While he is on the older side, the running back is still one of the best in the league and should be able to find at least one or two suitors.
Report: Dalvin Cook Trade To Go Down “By End of Week”
Why Wait For A Dalvin Cook Trade?
Rumors of a Dalvin Cook trade have been swirling all offseason, but now that it’s June 1st, Florio believes that a deal is all but inevitable. Thanks to NFL contract structuring, the Vikings can now split Cook’s $6.2 million in dead cap between 2023 and 2024. So, in essence, the team saved $3.1 million in cap space by waiting until now to trade their star running back.
As mentioned in multiple previous articles, the writing is on the wall for Cook and the Vikings. Quarterback Kirk Cousins and superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson are both due for hefty paydays in the near future, and the cash-strapped Vikings can’t afford to heavily invest in an older running back. Additionally, the team re-signed Alexander Mattison and even replaced Cook with Mattison on their official Twitter account.
Kevin O’Connell speaking on Alexander Mattison and the RB room without Dalvin Cook
“It’s been really good to see Alex Mattison take a few more reps and really show that all 3-down ownership that he’s been capable of for a long time.”#skol @AlexMattison22 pic.twitter.com/fSroicUd8q— Sean Kenner (@SK_NFL) May 30, 2023
However, even though the Minnesota Vikings are ready to move on from Dalvin Cook, that doesn’t mean he can’t still be a productive NFL player. The running back is reportedly healthier than ever and is coming off the first full season of his career. He will be able to find an NFL home, the only question is where that will be.
Possible Destinations
The most likely trade destination for Dalvin Cook is the Miami Dolphins. Even after selecting Devon Achane in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, this team still has a glaring need at running back and could use a proven starter to make this high-octane offense even more dangerous. Miami has been linked to Cook for quite some time, and they should be considered the favorites to secure his services.
Florio specifically mentions the Dolphins as the leading candidate, but he also adds that the team is probably not willing to pay his full salary. The Vikings would need to eat some salary, but if they could find a team willing to take on Cook’s entire contract, then they’d probably be willing to accept a late-round pick for the running back’s services.
While it’s hard to imagine any team taking on that lofty contract, there is a chance that the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills get in on the bidding war. The two teams are in remarkably similar spots, with elite quarterbacks, one great offensive weapon, and a massive question mark at the running back position. Money is an issue for both teams, but they might be willing to restructure a few contracts to make ends meet.
Alternatively, the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens could be dark horse candidates in a Dalvin Cook trade. If the Saints lose Alvin Kamara to a suspension, then they’ll have to turn the backfield over to an aging Jamaal Williams and a rookie Kendre Miller. With over $14 million in cap space, New Orleans could decide to secure the position with Cook.
The Ravens, meanwhile, should only be interested in a Dalvin Cook trade if J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards still don’t look like their old selves. Obviously, only the organization knows exactly how healthy those two are, but they’re both in the final year of their contracts, so Cook could provide a long-term answer at running back.
Main Photo: Matt Krohn – USA Today Sports
