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Fantasy Football 2017: Top 10 rookie running back fits

By James Simpson

Oct 29, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back D'Onta Foreman (33) runs in a touchdown against the Baylor Bears at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back D'Onta Foreman (33) runs in a touchdown against the Baylor Bears at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 15, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs for a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. FSU won 30-26. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs for a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. FSU won 30-26. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings

I know. Cook fell to the second round, so why does he usurp McCaffrey as an immediate impact player? Because, like Mixon, it was off-field issues that held him back. Also, it’s because he is a more traditional back who can plug right in, and it won’t take him long to steal work from newly acquired Latavius Murray and athletic-sensation-who-hasn’t-put-it-all-together Jerick McKinnon.

Minnesota used their fourth round pick to move up from 48 to 41 in the draft (presumably to jump ahead of Philadelphia) to acquire the Florida State runner, who broke Warrick Dunn’s FSU career rushing record during an unbelievable college career. In three seasons, he put up 4,464 yards on 687 carries (6.5 yards per carry) and 48 total touchdowns. In 2016, he was the Orange Bowl MVP, a unanimous All-American and selected to the All-ACC First Team for his mesmerizing on-field play.

He’s arguably the most talented runner in the class, but slipped down boards due to questions about the people he surrounded himself with in college and a sub-par combine. With his second round selection to a team where he’s clearly the best runner, I’m expecting big things from the off. He could finish as a top 12 back.

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