With the regular season finale less than a week away, the New York Jets have decided to release running back Dalvin Cook. While it might seem strange to cut someone like Cook one week before the season concludes, the Jets likely did this out of respect for the veteran. At 6-9, the Jets are eliminated from playoff contention and are playing for nothing more than pride. By releasing him, New York is giving the running back a chance to spend the rest of the season chasing a Super Bowl and re-establishing his value on the open market.
At his peak, Dalvin Cook was one of the best running backs in football. Unfortunately, age and injuries have taken a toll on the four-time Pro Bowler, as he lacks the same explosion and burst from his youth. Because of this, the veteran spent the majority of the season behind Breece Hall and has accumulated just 214 rushing yards on 67 attempts. However, just because Cook is no longer a Pro Bowl player doesn’t mean that he can’t help the right team. While he won’t be a three-down workhorse, these five playoff-bound teams could use him to increase their odds of winning it all.
Top 5 Dalvin Cook Team Fits, Ranked
Baltimore Ravens
In what’s becoming something of an annual tradition, the Baltimore Ravens running back room has been decimated by injury. The team lost J.K. Dobbins in the first game of the season, and promising rookie Keaton Mitchell is also done for the season. Gus Edwards has done an admirable job as the fill-in starter, and Dalvin Cook probably wouldn’t be able to take the starting job from him. However, he’s probably better than Justice Hill and Melvin Gordon. At the very least, Cook provides a veteran presence for a Ravens team that is trying to make amends for the last time they held the top seed in the AFC.
Buffalo Bills
Second-year running back James Cook has been one of the biggest breakout stars in the NFL, stepping up to the tune of 1,086 rushing yards on 224 carries. The rest of the running back depth chart, however, needs some help. Latavius Murray looks every bit like a 33-year-old running back, and Ty Johnson is nothing more than a borderline practice squad talent. The Buffalo Bills could use another running back, and Dalvin Cook is probably the best option available at this point in the season.
Kansas City Chiefs
Isiah Pacheco was one of the best out-of-nowhere stories in the NFL last year, and the 2023 season proved that he wasn’t a one-year fluke. The former seventh-round pick is one of the most aggressive downhill runners in the league and has dramatically improved as a pass catcher. He will be the unquestioned starter for the rest of the season, but the team will be in trouble if he goes down. At this point in his career, Jerick McKinnon is only good as a receiver, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire is not a fit for this offense. Dalvin Cook would be a nice change of pace back and a great insurance policy in case of a Pacheco injury.
Miami Dolphins
Rookie running back DeVon Achane has set the world on fire when on the field. However, the third-round pick has battled injury throughout the season and Miami shouldn’t place too much faith in him staying upright. Raheem Mostert, meanwhile, has stayed healthy this year but has a long, long history of injuries. The Dolphins were reportedly interested in Dalvin Cook back when he was a free agent, so they might as well bring him in as a part of this oft-injured running back carousel.
San Francisco 49ers
This one only makes sense if Christian McCaffrey’s injury is serious. The MVP candidate suffered what is supposedly a minor calf injury and won’t suit up in Week 18. Chances all, he’ll be a full-go for the postseason. However, if this injury lingers, the 49ers could use more help in the backfield. Elijah Mitchell is one of the best backups in the game, but nobody is capable of singlehandedly replacing McCaffrey’s production. Even at his best, Dalvin Cook was no Christian McCaffrey, but he’d be a good backup plan for the NFC favorites.
Main Photo: Brad Penner – USA Today Sports
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