There are Dalvin Cook rumors circulating that the Vikings could release the RB after June 1, but which teams should swoop in to sign him if he is?
For the majority of the offseason, there has been speculation that the Minnesota Vikings could ultimately part ways with running back Dalvin Cook. Now it seems like those rumors might be heating up even more.
There are unsubstantiated rumors that the Vikings plan to release Cook post-June 1, a move that would save Minnesota $9 million against the cap and, more importantly, avoid having to pay an inflated contract to a running back, a real faux-pas in the modern NFL.
While that may be the case, though, cutting Dalvin Cook would be a monetary move for the Vikings, not one based on performance. The Florida State product has remained one of the best backs in the league, even amid a number of minor injuries. If he's cut by Minnesota and is looking for a new team, there should be a plethora of suitors.
These three NFL teams in particular, however, should be ideal Dalvin Cook landing spots, especially at what should be a discounted price.
Dalvin Cook rumors: Buffalo Bills could use an upgrade at RB
Who doesn't love a good brotherly pairing on an NFL team?
Of course, pairing up Dalvin Cook and James Cook wouldn't be the only reason that the Buffalo Bills should have interest in the Vikings running back if he hits the free agent market.
Buffalo has made a strong effort this offseason to improve the situation around superstar quarterback Josh Allen. They drafted Dalton Kincaid in the first round to give him another weapon in the passing offense, they've been rumored to be in the DeAndre Hopkins trade market, they bettered the offensive line, and they signed Damien Harris to be the power option to James Cook.
While I'm probably more favorable of Harris than most people, the fact of the matter is that Dalvin Cook is a substantially better and more proven NFL running back. More importantly, while he's brothers with James, they are also great complements to one another in a backfield.
The current Bills running back, drafted in the second round in 2022, is a shiftier player who seems to offer more as a pass-catcher than a traditional back. While Dalvin is a capable pass-catching weapon, he's a much better between-the-tackles runner.
Putting him in this offense would further take pressure off of Allen and establish a more consistent and effective running game. In turn, the Bills would take a step forward in their quest to win a Super Bowl.
Dalvin Cook rumors: New Orleans Saints may need an Alvin Kamara backup plan
The New Orleans Saints at full strength have a highly intriguing running back room. Alvin Kamara is one of the best backs in the league in his own right, Jamaal Williams is a phenomenal RB2 in any offense, and the franchise used a third-round pick on Kendre Miller out of TCU.
That all looks great. Of course, the issue with the matter is that the Saints might not have Kamara for a substantial amount of time in the 2023 season.
Stemming from an incident in Vegas in early 2022 (the week of the Pro Bowl, to be specific) for which Kamara and three others were indicted on assault charges, there is a lingering expectation that Kamara could end up getting suspended. That didn't happen in 2022, but with the legal process moving forward, a suspension for the 2023 season appears entirely possible.
If that happens, then things look a bit more dire for the Saints rushing attack. Williams is not a No. 1 option and Miller, though exciting, is unproven. In signing Derek Carr and restructuring numerous contracts, the Saints are clearly moving toward trying to compete for a playoff spot this season.
Subsequently, if Dalvin Cook is released and is available for a cheap price on the free agent market, he would make a ton of sense in this offense to protect the Saints from the Kamara suspension. The fit is obviously contingent upon that but, based on the way things are trending, it seems like the stars could line up for this.
Dalvin Cook rumors: Cowboys have the perfect Ezekiel Elliott replacement
The Dallas Cowboys are transitioning at running back. They've already made their own post-June 1 decision at the position, cutting Ezekiel Elliott and getting more than half of his huge cap number off of the books. This comes after the former No. 4 overall pick had shown a stark decline in his performance and coupled with the emergence of Tony Pollard, who they signed on the franchise tag.
One thing that has been discussed, though, is the potential of a Cowboys reunion with Zeke this season on a cheaper contract. That's because Dallas is in a spot where they don't have an obvious replacement for Elliott's role as more of a power back for short-yardage situations with just Pollard, Ronald Jones II (a likely cut candidate), and 5-foot-5 rookie Deuce Vaughn.
Even with the franchise's affinity for Elliott, though, the fact of the matter is that he's clearly lost a step. He's dealt with injuries, sure, but even then, he's not the player that he once way.
Dalvin Cook, however, has remained an effective ball carrier in that role and with more versatility than what Zeke offers at this point in his career. If he's released by the Vikings, he's almost surely cost something in the same ballpark as Elliott in free agency, but would offer much more on the field.
The Cowboys are a Super Bowl contender with the defense they've built and few other true, viable contenders in the NFC. And adding Cook could be the splash move to help put them over the top.