Some of the persistent storylines of the NFL offseason has circled across the Minnesota Vikings and the way forward for their star working again, Dalvin Cook dinner. The commerce winds have swirled for months, and the rumors simply don’t appear to go away. Cook dinner has been linked to quite a few groups throughout this saga. But, for now, he stays in Minnesota.
It feels prefer it’s solely a matter of time earlier than the Vikings ship Cook dinner off someplace, however the place? Listed below are the highest three commerce locations as I see them for Cook dinner, with a wildcard thrown in only for enjoyable – and possibly some chaos!
Dalvin Cook dinner Commerce Locations: High 3
Arizona Cardinals
For my cash, the Arizona Cardinals take advantage of sense to drag off a commerce with the Vikings for Dalvin Cook dinner. They’re a group that has been making strikes for a few years, attempting to make that subsequent leap into constant playoff relevance.
The Playing cards have their quarterback of the long run, Kyler Murray. They’ve a star large receiver in Deandre Hopkins – who has his personal commerce rumors swirling. A constant risk on the working again place might be the piece they should put all of it collectively.
One of many huge issues holding the Cardinals again is well being. Kyler Murray is ready to overlook the start parts of the season. Present beginning working again James Conner has had an in depth damage historical past within the NFL. Cook dinner has had his personal damage historical past, however he’s largely been in a position to battle by way of and be a constant presence within the Vikings backfield. If he can present that for the Cardinals, they might have what it takes to compete with the 49ers for the division.
Dallas Cowboys
I’ll be the primary one to confess that, on the floor, it doesn’t make an entire lot of sense for the Dallas Cowboys to pursue a commerce for Dalvin Cook dinner. They appear poised to maneuver on from their cornerstone working again Ezekiel Elliott after a major dip in his manufacturing.
Bringing in one other ageing, slowing working again could be questionable decision-making, to say the least. Add in the truth that they only signed working again Tony Pollard to a franchise tag deal, and it makes even much less sense.
Alternatively, everyone knows who runs the Cowboys: Jerry Jones. Jones has all the time been one to make flashy, high-profile strikes – whether or not it is sensible for the group or not. At this level within the NFL offseason, he couldn’t pull off a flashier transfer than making a commerce with the Vikings for Cook dinner.
Do I believe it should occur? No. However will I be shocked if Jones up and decides he completely has to have Cook dinner, rattling the fee? Additionally no.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are the group most closely related to the Vikings in a commerce for Dalvin Cook dinner. The rumors have been floating about for months, and simply whenever you suppose they’ve died out, they arrive again with a vengeance. On the floor, buying and selling Cook dinner to the Dolphins makes some sense.
Miami has been making a tough push in a aggressive AFC. They traded for former Kansas Metropolis Chiefs star large receiver Tyreek Hill and Broncos defensive finish Bradley Chubb final season. Earlier this offseason, they traded with the Los Angeles Rams to usher in Jalen Ramsey. What’s yet another commerce, proper?
The issue with this state of affairs is two-fold. The primary and most blatant factor is that buying and selling for a working again doesn’t make a lot sense for a group that has already expended so many sources making a push. The second subject is that Cook dinner doesn’t actually match the mildew of what this new Dolphins group is after. With the fellows they’ve introduced in and drafted over the previous few seasons, they clearly have one factor in thoughts: Pace.
That being stated, bringing in a working again like Cook dinner might present the Dolphins with some much-needed versatility within the backfield. Proper now, they don’t have a again who suits that conventional “thumper” mildew like Cook dinner might. If introduced in, Cook dinner might present the right complement to guys like Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, and third-round choose De’Von Achane.
Dalvin Cook dinner Commerce Locations: Wild Card
San Francisco 49ers
Out of all of the choices we’ve explored for a Vikings commerce of Dalvin Cook dinner, this one most likely makes the least sense – however can also be essentially the most enjoyable. That’s why that is my wildcard possibility. The 49ers are nearly assuredly not going to commerce for Cook dinner. They’ve a potent offense already with Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle – the very best tight finish in soccer.
Additionally they simply performed this sport final season, making a commerce with the Carolina Panthers for Christian McCaffrey. Not solely does it not make sense for the 49ers to show round and expend extra property on the place, however McCaffrey can also be a significantly better match for what the 49ers wish to do on offense. It will be a pipe dream to suppose San Francisco could be fascinated by buying and selling for Cook dinner, a lot much less be prepared to drag it off.
And but, one can’t assist however dream. Cook dinner would add a brand new dimension to the 49ers’ offense they don’t at present have. The offense in San Francisco is already so progressive and enjoyable. Are you able to think about what Kyle Shanahan might provide you with if he had the ever-present risk of merely working the ball down a group’s throat? Cook dinner might open that offense up even additional together with his presence alone, and that’s enjoyable sufficient to incorporate right here.
