Even with the ongoing debate about the running back market, there is now a favorite to sign free agent Dalvin Cook, and it's a shocking team.
July 17, 2023, was not a good day for running backs. Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs were unable to reach an agreement with the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders on contract extensions by the 4:00 p.m. ET deadline, meaning they both have to play on the franchise tag. That then caused an uproar among running backs, who criticized teams for undervaluing the position.
One day later, there appears to be some news regarding free agent Dalvin Cook, who was released by the Minnesota Vikings last month.
According to the latest odds from DraftKings (via ProFootballTalk), the New England Patriots are the favorites to sign Cook with +150 odds. The teams with the next best odds are the Miami Dolphins at +200 and the New York Jets at +400.
NFL Rumors: Patriots are current favorites to sign Dalvin Cook
The Patriots are an interesting team, as they were in the running for a fellow top free agent in wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Even though they were one of two teams to bring Hopkins in for a visit, the multi-time Pro Bowler decided to sign a two-year, $26 million contract with the Tennessee Titans. So, could Cook be the pivot for the Patriots?
Last season's running back corps remains intact, sans Damien Harris. As a group last season, the Patriots running game was one of the worst in the league, averaging just 106.6 yards per game, which ranks 24th in the entire league (per ESPN).
Adding Cook would be a plus for the Patriots, especially if they want to provide extra help for quarterback Mac Jones, who already got a boost in the passing game with the addition of wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight end Mike Gesicki.
Last season, Cook ran for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns on 264 carries, while catching 39-of-56 targets for two touchdowns in 17 regular season games.
This offseason, Cook was released by the Vikings as a means to free up cap space. He was in the midst of his five-year, $63 million contract with the team.
Betting odds are not the end all, be all in terms of confirmation that a move is happening. Either way, Patriots fans will sure be looking at these odds and certainly prepare for the possibility of them signing Cook.