The Jets have agreed to a one-year deal with RB Dalvin Cook. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Cook is getting "up to $8.6 million ... with the majority guaranteed." He adds that it's the largest annual average of any deal for a RB free agent this offseason. This seems to signal a few things: First, the Jets like Cook much better than any of their current RB backups and were iffy enough on that crew to make a significant upgrade. Secondly, it also indicates they want to make sure not to overwork Breece Hall in his return from the ACL tear. Hall has yet to take the field in training camp, though reports have said they expect him to be ready for the regular season. Even if that holds true, expect Cook to cut way into the available work. That moves Hall down our RB rankings and gives Cook nice contingent upside, in case Hall misses further games. The rest of the Jets' current RBs are no more than end-of-draft fliers. At least one among Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight, and Israel Abanikanda probably isn't making the regular-season roster.
The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt says Jets RB Zonovan Knight has "had a really good camp -- he's quite clearly been their best RB." That's, of course, with Breece Hall not yet practicing. But it's noteworthy that Knight earns such praise over Michael Carter and rookie Israel Abanikanda. We're not betting on another Jets RB being starter-worthy in fantasy whenever Hall is active. But Hall's still-progressing recovery from the 2022 ACL tear enhances the available opportunity for the rest of the backfield. Knight has been going basically undrafted by best ball ADP this offseason and sits well down our RB rankings. We'll see whether a big adjustment needs to happen.
Jets RB Breece Hall (ACL tear) remains on the PUP list. But the team is still “optimistic” he’ll suit up for Week 1, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. The Jets are hosting free agent RB Dalvin Cook this weekend, a development that might seem to run counter to Cimini’s statement. Hopefully, we get word on Cook’s new team this week.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, free agent RB Dalvin Cook is flying to New York today in anticipation of a visit with the Jets. The veteran back has received interest from multiple teams this offseason, and whatever backfield he ends up in will have a significant shakeup on their hands. When asked about the Cook visit, Jets HC Robert Saleh said he's "excited" but made clear that it's not meant to imply the health of incumbent RB Breece Hall (ACL) is a concern. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler separately reported that Cook and the Patriots are also in talks for a potential visit. It might be a while until we know where the four-time Pro Bowler suits up in Week 1, but the market is heating up meaningfully. We'll address the fantasy fallout once a definitive landing spot is known.
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio writes that there's "been chatter in league circles regarding hesitation arising from the possibility of a suspension" for RB Dalvin Cook. That helps explain why Cook still hasn't been signed after the Vikings released him in early June. Cook reportedly offered his domestic violence accuser $1 million to send a letter to the NFL “relieving Mr. Cook of any wrongdoing," according to The Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Rochelle Olson. Cook's trial won't begin until 2024, but there's some belief that the $1 million offer is a sign of guilt that could spur the NFL to take action. We'll continue to keep you updated on Cook's legal situation and free-agency market. His Underdog Fantasy ADP has sunk into Round 8.
It looks like the market for free agent RB Dalvin Cook is heating up. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins have made a formal contract offer to the veteran back. Jackson went on to say that “there's mutual interest" and that Cook "has called Miami a 'perfect fit'.” NFL Network's Tom Pelissero also recently spoke about Cook on The Rich Eisen Show, stating that the veteran has received "multiple offers" from various teams, so the Fins will not be alone in their pursuit. Cook showed some signs of decline last season, averaging his fewest rushing yards per game (69.0) since 2017 and losing significant target share. Wherever he ends up, we're probably not talking about a slam-dunk RB1 in fantasy anymore. But he should have a role worthy of mid-round draft consideration. Cook landing in Miami would throw an already busy backfield -- Jeff Wilson Jr., Raheem Mostert, and 2023 rookie De'Von Achane -- into an absolute frenzy. Keep an eye out for further updates.
The Vikings are releasing RB Dalvin Cook, according to multiple reports. The move (or a trade) has been anticipated all offseason. His departure leaves Alexander Mattison as the top candidate to lead Minnesota's backfield, and there's big volume upside. Cook ranked 11th among RBs in opportunity share last season, the team's first under HC Kevin O'Connell. Ty Chandler, DeWayne McBride and Kene Nwangwu will compete for roles behind Mattison. Cook now hits the open market, ready to significantly alter the RB projections for some new team. Check our fantasy football RB rankings for updated numbers.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer hears that RB Dalvin Cook is now likely to remain with the Vikings for the 2023 season. "The Vikings have told other teams they're cap clean now, so there’s no urgency at this point to offload Cook," Breer writes. It sounds like Cook might still be available if another team was hot for him, but that seems unlikely considering Cook's age (28 in August), injury history, and cap hit ($14.1 million). We'll continue to keep an eye on this situation, but you should be drafting for now as if Cook will be a Viking this season.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler hears that the Vikings might cut RB Dalvin Cook before the NFL Draft at the end of this month. Cook compiled 1,468 total yards and 10 TDs last year, finishing 10th among RBs in PPR points. But he ranked just 41st among 48 qualifying RBs in rush yards over expected per attempt, turns 28 in August, and is recovering from shoulder surgery. Cook carries a $14.1 million cap hit in 2023, although releasing him would save Minnesota just $5.9 million. The Vikings have also talked to at least one team about a Cook trade, Fowler adds. (The Dolphins have previously been rumored to be interested.) We'll see where this goes over the next couple of weeks, but Cook is a risky pick in current best-ball drafts. His departure would leave RB Alexander Mattison atop Minnesota's depth chart -- barring a significant addition in the draft.
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook is making "excellent progress" in his recovery from mid-February shoulder surgery, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. That procedure addressed a broken shoulder that Cook suffered back in 2019 and has been playing through since. The shoulder is "now 100% stable and stronger," per Pelissero. It doesn't sound like this will impact Cook's availability for the 2023 season. He's been mentioned as a potential trade or even cut candidate -- but this shoulder issue might be holding up any potential move. Perhaps something transpires the week of the NFL Draft. Stay tuned.
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook underwent surgery today to address a broken shoulder that he suffered back in 2019, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Cook has dealt with a plethora of shoulder issues throughout his football career: a labrum tear in 2014 at Florida State, a re-injury in college in 2016, the aforementioned 2019 injury, a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum in 2021 and another injury this past September. Cook's agency suggested in a statement that he'll be ready for the start of the 2023 season, but we'll look for more details on the procedure and Cook's exact timeline for return. He turns 28 in August.
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook tallied 15 carries for 60 rushing yards and 6 receptions on 7 targets for 10 yards in Sunday's Wild Card loss vs. the Giants. This inefficient outing is undoubtedly disappointing for fantasy managers who enlisted the help of Cook for points. It's worth noting that the Vikings have an out in Cook's contract that could make him a free agent in 2023 should they choose to exercise it. Such a move would carry a dead cap hit just north of $6 million and is merely hypothetical at this point. He'll be a name to watch this offseason just in case.
Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell said Friday that his regulars will start this weekend's game vs. the Bears but that there's a plan to potentially pull them early to get backups some reps, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. The Vikings can't get the NFC's #1 seed and can only climb from #3 to #2 with a 49ers loss to the Cardinals. QB Kirk Cousins, RB Dalvin Cook, WRs Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen and TE T.J. Hockenson are candidates to leave Sunday's game early.
Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell said Monday that he won't sit his starters in Sunday's regular-season finale vs. the Bears -- although he added that he could make "more subtle" adjustments to playing time. The Vikings can't get the NFC's #1 seed but are still alive for the #2 seed with a win plus a loss by the 49ers. Minnesota kicks off at 1 pm ET, while 49ers-Cardinals doesn't start until 4:25 pm ET, so there won't be any scoreboard watching going on. It's possible that the Vikings pull guys like QB Kirk Cousins, RB Dalvin Cook, WR Justin Jefferson and TE T.J. Hockenson if they build a big lead, but we're currently projecting full playing time for all of them.
Search
