One of the biggest offseason storylines has been whether or not the Vikings will move on from longtime stud RB Dalvin Cook.
While the team is currently 24th in effective salary cap space with roughly $9.8 million available, pending contract extensions for WR Justin Jefferson and DE Danielle Hunter have made the idea of the Vikings saving $11 million against the cap with a post-June 1 trade a distinct possibility.
Senior NFL Reporter Albert Breer added some information Monday over at SI.com, noting the Vikings and Dolphins, “came very close to a trade that would’ve made Cook a Dolphin back in March.” However, that deal fell apart, and Breer notes that Miami’s desire for a big-play back was, “at least to some degree, addressed in the third round of the draft, with ultra-explosive Texas A&M back Devon Achane coming in.”
Over the weekend ESPN’s Adam Schefter quoted Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert, noting: “All that remains is for the Vikings to formalize (Dalvin) Cook's exit, a denouement that seems likely if not completely certain.”
The wait continues, but there’s certainly been enough smoke to doubt the idea that Cook will once again function as the Vikings’ lead back in 2023. The public has certainly taken notice, as both Cook and next-man-up Alexander Mattison have been two of the biggest movers in Underdog ADP over the last month.
Mattison would immediately surge into low-end RB2 territory at worst should Cook be released or traded, making his rise up the ranks plenty reasonable to chase.
The bigger question:
What would be the most fantasy-friendly landing spot for Cook if not in Minnesota?
The following three teams make a whole lot of sense based on both their current RB room and available cap space. Note that the latter variable is why relatively RB-needy teams like the Buccaneers, Rams, Broncos, and Bills aren’t included.
Miami Dolphins
Whoever winds up working as Mike McDaniel’s lead back will certainly carry plenty of fantasy upside simply by existing in the league’s reigning 11th-ranked scoring offense, although no team was less willing to give their RBs 20-plus touches than the Dolphins last season.
Ultimately, this Dolphins offense figures to continue to flow through Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle before anyone else. That said, Cook would immediately profile as the lead early-down back at worst and would be tough to keep out of the position’s top-20 players on a week-to-week basis.
Projected 2023 fantasy rank: RB19
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Dallas Cowboys
Only the Lions, Broncos, Panthers and Eagles have more available carries than the Cowboys in terms of offseason roster turnover. This is your reminder that Ezekiel Elliott (248) was somehow given more touches than Tony Pollard (232) in the year of our lord 2023.
Adding Cook to the Cowboys wouldn’t lead to a featured three-down role – Pollard received the franchise tag for a reason – but sliding into the same spot that helped Zeke produce the league’s third-most carries inside the five-yard line certainly wouldn’t be all that bad for fantasy business.
Projected 2023 fantasy rank: RB29
Los Angeles Chargers
Austin Ekeler has never received more than 206 carries in a season. He’s on the record stating that he prefers a committee approach to a workhorse role, and that was before requesting a trade this offseason that ultimately wasn’t granted.
Chargers RBs not named Ekeler accounted for 164 touches in 2022; there’s a decent amount of meat on the bone in this ascending offense for more than one fantasy-viable RB – just like there was back in 2019 when both Ekeler (RB6 in PPR points per game) and Melvin Gordon (RB14) both managed to record top-15 production throughout the season.
Projected 2023 fantasy rank: RB32
