Minnesota Vikings should steer clear of paying Dalvin Cook
By Lucas Schuh
Dalvin Cook wants to get paid but the Minnesota Vikings shouldn’t give in.
There is a recent NFL trend of top-end running backs holding out to get a lucrative new contract. Ezekiel Elliott, Le’Veon Bell and Melvin Gordon have all held out in varying capacities. And now Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is joining the party.
Replacing Adrian Peterson as a second-round pick the 2017 NFL Draft, Cook was given a tall task when he came to Minnesota. When healthy, however, he has proven to be one of the better running backs in the NFL after rushing for 1,135 yards in the 2019 season. The question is if he deserves to get paid the amount of money he desires.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cook is looking for a contract in the range of David Johnson’s 2018 deal that has an annual average value of $13 million. And with that figure, the simple answer to if he deserves that type of money is no.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
Why the Minnesota Vikings shouldn’t pony up for Dalvin Cook.
Cook’s talent has never been in question but his health has been. Since entering the NFL, he’s suffered a torn ACL, shoulder sprain and multiple hamstring strains. Of a possible 48 games, Cook has played in only 28 of them.
Health isn’t the biggest reason as to why the Vikings shouldn’t pay their running back, however. As the NFL has evolved, the passing game has become exponentially more valuable. Thus, the position Cook plays depletes his value in terms of a long-term contract.
In 2019, Cook ran for 4.6 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Mitchell Trubisky was last among starting qualified quarterbacks as he averaged 9.6 yards per completion. It’s easy math that the passing game is more valuable because of the higher yield in terms of yardage, which is why quarterback, in stark contrast, is the most valuable position in the league.
Though it may sound counterintuitive, running backs are replaceable, even the best in the NFL. Ezekiel Elliott got paid before last season but, when he was suspended in 2017 for six games, Alfred Morris filled in and averaged 0.7 yards per attempt more than the starter. That was largely due to the offensive line, which is largely the point.
For that 2017 season, Pro Football Focus ranked the Cowboys offensive line as the fourth-best in the league. On the other end of the spectrum is the Los Angeles Rams. Despite having Todd Gurley, a decline in the offensive line from 2018 to 2019 ultimately sunk the running game in the City of Angels, even if Gurley’s injury history did him no favors either. And now the Rams have jettisoned Gurley.
Next. 2021 NFL Draft: Vikings select DT in mock draft. dark
Cook could be staring down a similar path if the Vikings are smart about their business. While the Vikings running back averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season, backup Alexander Mattison managed 4.6 yards per tote. Mattison may not be as talented but he’s substantially cheaper than Cook on a new contract.
The NFL is a business and, despite Cook deserving to get paid for his demanding position and the physical abuse he takes on, Minnesota’s best business would be not giving him the money he wants. It’s just not justifiable to pay a running back $13 million or more per season.