NFL Draft rumors: Dalvin Cook visiting 49ers
By Conor Myles
Could the 49ers be in the market for a stud running back prospect like Florida State’s Dalvin Cook?
The 49ers have gone through many changes this offseason and many more are expected to come during the 2017 NFL Draft. The team hosted highly touted Florida State running back Dalvin Cook on a pre-draft visit.
This visit may strike fans as a puzzling move given the team currently has very talented 2014 second-round pick Carlos Hyde already on the roster.
Hyde is entering the final season of his rookie contract and has struggled to stay on the field during his three seasons in the league. He’s missed a total of 14 games over those three seasons, which may concern new head coach Kyle Shanahan.
The 49ers have shown interest in some of the top running backs in this 2017 draft class, most notably Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey. Now Cook’s name is added to that list.
Shanahan most recently had success with a former Florida State running back in DeVonta Freeman the past two seasons he spent with the Atlanta Falcons.
Freeman thrived in Shanahan’s zone rushing scheme and Cook could do the same since that’s the offense he was accustomed too with the Seminoles.
The 49ers have the second selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, though it’s very unlikely they’ll take him that soon. Cook may, however, fall to them with the 34th pick.
Cook has some off-field concerns that he’ll have to address when meeting teams on these pre-draft visits. He’s never been found guilty of a crime, but he has multiple arrests on his rap sheet that teams will most likely investigate.
Another factor that could drop Cook is lingering shoulder injuries. Shoulder issues for a running back could be viewed as a major concern for teams, especially with Cook’s fumbling problems (14 fumbles in three seasons).
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Shanahan and the 49ers brass could see a possibility of Cook being on the board when they select early in round two. They’re doing their homework, as they should, and figuring out if he offers a potential upgrade over what they have.
Don’t be shocked if Cook ends up heading to San Francisco on the second day of the 2017 NFL Draft.