A late fish has been tossed into the NFL free agency pond.
I'll break down where the odds say Dalvin Cook will end up next, and which NFL teams are the best fit are for his future success:
The #Vikings and four-time Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook are parting ways, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 8, 2023
One of the NFL’s most dynamic playmakers, Cook is coming off a fourth straight 1,000-yard season and has 52 career TDs. Now he’ll be a free agent at age 27 and will have multiple suitors. pic.twitter.com/kJUIi9XP6O
Dalvin Cook Next Team Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | EVEN |
| New York Jets | +250 |
| Buffalo Bills | +500 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +1000 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +1000 |
| Chicago Bears | +1200 |
Odds as of June 8th, 2023
Oddsmakers are convinced the Dolphins are Cook's top potential landing spot in free agency this summer. Their EVEN odds imply a 50% shot that Cook will suit up for the Dolphins for the 2023 opener, per our odds calculator.
Miami Is The Perfect Kitchen For Cook
The Dolphins finished eighth in the NFL in total rushing yards last year, with 4.3 yards per carry and 12 ground scores. Those respectable totals came from a RB room of Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, and Chase Edmonds. Imagine what the Dolphins could do with Cook back there?
With almost $14 million in cap space, the Dolphins have room to make one final splashy move like this... and they kind of need it.
Miami sits at +2200 to win in current 2024 Super Bowl odds, ranked 10th in the odds. They're right in that competitive sweet spot where a big add like Cook will push them from playoff team to title contender. Push the chips in Fins.
Do The Jets Have Room For Another RB?
The Jets have a packed running back room already. Breece Hall is coming back from surgery, Michael Carter is a solid backup option, Bam Knight was good in a depth role in 2022, and New York just spent a 5th round pick on Israel Abanikanda, too. So, why are the Jets connected to Cook and second in odds to land the RB?
Well, you can always make ur strengths even better. The Jets have $23 million in open cap space right now, and no real stars to use it on. When new NY QB Aaron Rodgers was at his best, winning the NFL MVP in 2020 and 2021, he was in a Packers offense that utilized plenty of rushing.
The 2021 Packers had AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones both rush for 800 yards, both receive 170+ attempts, and both catch 30 or more passes from the backfield. Pairing Cook with Hall in New York would give Rodgers' Jets a two-headed running monster that would top that Packers duo.
Are Vikings Screwed Without Cook?
Prior to Cook's release, books had the Vikings as +115 odds to make the NFL playoffs. They also had a 2023 NFL win total of OVER/UNDER 8.5, suggesting a borderline playoff squad. Without Cook, expect those Minny playoff chances to plummet.
Cook has been the lifeblood of the Vikings' offense for the last four years. From 2019 to 2022, the 27-year-old ran for 5000 total yards and accounted for 46 Minnesota touchdowns.
Dalvin Cook's last TD for the Vikings was a crucial play in the largest comeback in NFL history.pic.twitter.com/PX6LXkzCTP
— Janik Eckardt (@JanikEckardt) June 8, 2023
If there's one positive, it's that the Vikings have managed to survive when Cook's been injured in recent seasons. Backup Alex Mattison has started six games over the last three years, averaging 4.0 yards per carry and snagging 10 touchdowns since 2020. Nobody can replace the dynamic Cook, but maybe the Vikings are set up better than some teams would be?
