Reinforcements might be on the way for two of the best teams in the NFL. Before Week 18’s action, the New York Jets decided to release running back Dalvin Cook. With second-year pro Breece Hall establishing himself as one of the best in the game and rookie Israel Abanikanda showing promise, New York no longer needed the established veteran. However, rather than let him waste away on a team on a collision course with the offseason, the Jets allowed him the opportunity to find a new team and chase a Super Bowl title.
According to Josina Anderson, the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys appear to be the frontrunners for Dalvin Cook. Now, before either team could sign him, he first needs to clear waivers, and that won’t happen until 4PM on Thursday. While there is a chance a team could claim Cook, it isn’t particularly likely. The running back signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Jets in the offseason, and any team claiming him would be responsible for the remainder of his deal.
At this point, Dalvin Cook is nothing more than a backup-caliber running back, and nobody is going to want to pay that type of money for his services. That being said, he is worth a spot on a practice squad, and the Ravens and Cowboys aren’t the only teams that make sense.
REPORT: Ravens, Cowboys Frontrunners In Dalvin Cook Sweepstakes
The Reported Fits
At first glance, it’s easy to see why both the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys would like to sign Dalvin Cook. In what’s becoming something of an annual tradition, the Ravens running back room has been decimated by injury. J.K. Dobbins tore his Achilles back in Week 1, and promising rookie Keaton Mitchell is also done for the season. Gus Edwards has done a great job in the starting role, but he can’t do it alone. Justice Hill and Melvin Gordon are nothing special, so Cook would probably be an upgrade there.
The Dallas Cowboys, meanwhile, have Tony Pollard and not much else. Rookie seventh-round pick Deuce Vaughn just landed on the injured reserve and Rico Dowdle missed Week 17 with an ankle injury. This team needs more depth, and that’s before you account for the fact that Pollard just hasn’t been that good this year. The former fourth-round pick is better as a complementary role player, and Cook might be able to ease his burden in the postseason.
Dark Horse Dalvin Cook Destinations
Even though the Ravens and Cowboys are the two favorites for Dalvin Cook, some mystery teams could go after him. This is purely speculation, but it’s hard to see why the Buffalo Bills or Kansas City Chiefs wouldn’t want to pursue him.
James Cook is a reliable starting running back, but the rest of Buffalo’s depth chart leaves a lot to be desired. Latavius Murray is an aging back who doesn’t do much of anything, while Ty Johnson is the definition of a journeyman. If nothing else, Cook can be another reliable set of hands and a competent force in goal line and short-yardage situations.
The Kansas City Chiefs, meanwhile, have a ferocious hard-nosed runner in Isiah Pacheco but could use more depth. Just like with the Bills, you don’t want to put too much trust in an aging veteran like Jerick McKinnon, and third-string running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has had more than enough opportunities to prove himself. Dalvin Cook would probably be the second- or third-best back in an offense that desperately needs to find a spark.
Main Photo: Jasen Vinlove – USA Today Sports
