Where Is Dalvin Cook Going? Possible Landing Spots

Landing spots for Dalvin Cook based on the team's salary cap and Running Back requirements are listed below:

1. Miami Dolphins
2. Denver Broncos
3. Cincinnati Bengals
4. Buffalo Bills
5. Kansas City Chiefs

Cincinnati Bengals has the highest salary cap of $15 million among the five abovementioned names. Their starting RB, Joe Mixon, will play his sixth season with the Bengals. In his last season which was a down year, he recorded 300 fewer rushing yards than Cook and fell behind by a touchdown.

Similarly, with a $13 million wage room, Miami Dolphins can land Cook to replace Raheem Mostert. The current starting RB only ran 891 yards and scored three touchdowns.

Denver Broncos can welcome the former Vikings running back in the $10 million wage space. They won't bet all their money on Javonte Williams, who will be playing his third season.

All these three teams need qualitative and experienced talent who can strengthen their offense. Cook's departure can be a lottery for them.

Chiefs ($1 million) and Bills ($5 million) have salary cap issues. However, adjusting money and being willing to take less for the championship-caliber team could also be a consideration for Cook.

Both have inexperienced and unproven talents in the RB position. The Chiefs and Bills have +600 and +800 odds of winning the Super Bowl 2024.

The Vikings released Dalvin Cook to make the salary cap space. CBS Sports reports that letting the Running Back go saved the team $9 million in 2023.

The same report claims that the franchise tried to retain the player on the roster with a possible salary adjustment, which Cook eventually rejected. The sportsperson has a base of $10.4 million and a cap hit of $14.1 million.

On May 26, the Vikings were left with a salary cap space of $1.1 million. After the star player's release, they sit comfortably with a wage room of $18.75 million.

Likewise, the age factor is also accountable for the team's decision to let him go. He will turn 28 on 10th August, meaning less efficient years and more injury-prone probability.

In his rookie year, 2017, the RB finished his season in the fourth week due to a torn ACL. An injury prone 2018 season saw him record only two rushing touchdowns in 10 starts.

Similarly, a chest injury in 2019 and a groin injury in 2020 did not serve him better.

Additionally, he has not been able to replicate his 16 rushing touchdowns and 1,557 rushing yard record from 2020 in the last two years. Four fumbles and equal lost balls in 2022 only make the matter worse.

Despite everything, Dalvin has the potential to be a firepower for whichever offense he ends up with. A power runner, the former pro bowl running back can be a safe bet for many.

Minnesota Vikings RB depth chart for 2023 season are:

• Alexander Mattison
• Ty Chandler
• DeWayne McBride
• Kene Nwangwu

With the recent exit of Cook, the offense without the rusher who ran over a thousand yards in the last four seasons looks feeble. Alexander Mattison, the 3rd round choice in the 2019 Draft, was a backup for Cook in the past outings.

Mattison, with all-time stats of 1,670 rushing and 526 receiving yards, is unlikely to start for the team. His 11 rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns need more backing from the coaching staff to consider him the leading man.

Ty Chandler, DeWyane McBride, and Kene Nwangwu are in the rooster but lack experience and explosiveness, significantly threatening the offensive play.

Possible Replacements

Kareem Hunt and Ezekiel Elliott are some of the best-unsigned free-agent running backs who can be brought in to start for the Vikings.

The Dallas Cowboys released Elliott on 15th March earlier this year. The 6 feet tall RB was the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

In the 2022 regular campaign, he registered 12 touchdowns and covered 876 rushing yards. On top of that, he received 17 balls. The 3-time Pro Bowler has all the firepower needed to make his name on the first team.

Likewise, Hunt has been with two franchises, Kansas City Chiefs (2017-18) and Cleveland Browns (2019-22). With a career statistics of 4,025 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns, he can be the one to put your money on for the new campaign.

Other notable names available for signings are:

• Leonard Fournette
• Mark Ingram
• Darrell Williams
• Dontrell Hilliard
• Royce Freeman
• Malcolm Brown
• Tyreik McAllister
• Master Teague
• Aaron Shampklin
• Benny Snell Jr.