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Fantasy Football: Reflecting on players who positively impacted teams in 2019

By Matthew Catalano

Yahoo DFS: LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: Chris Godwin #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
Yahoo DFS: LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: Chris Godwin #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 08: Minnesota Vikings Running Back Dalvin Cook (33) takes the field before a game between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings on December 8, 2019 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Dalvin Cook (MIN)

It should not come as much of a surprise that Cook would appear on the “Difference Makers” list at this point in the season. At the beginning of the year though, there was a different aura swirling around the fantasy football community. That of course was, can Cook finally showcase his talents without being completely derailed by nagging injuries?

Finally our questions have been answered in 2019. Cook is definitely a legit top-5 running back with how well he has played this year. Sure we can say that Kirk Cousins has failed to utilize his receivers, but we can’t discount what the third-year back out of Florida State University has accomplished in the 14 games he’s played so far.

Let’s face it though. The Vikings have traditionally been a run-first type of team. At least that is what I can recall since I started to religiously follow the sport. Granted, I am very young and have not watched as much football as a lot of other people, but I can recall the days with Adrian Peterson constantly being fed the ball to help move his team down the field for Minnesota in practically every drive they were on.

I also know that the Vikings’ offensive coordinator, Kevin Stefanski is the type who defaults to running the ball first before he considers having his quarterback throw down the field. Head coach Mike Zimmer is more of a defensive-minded leader and has no qualms with that philosophy.

In 2019 he has amassed 1,108 rushing yards (fourth-most) and 13 scores (fourth-most). He has been nothing short of a disappointment for any fantasy owner who took a chance in their drafts this year by selecting him. He was going somewhere towards the back-end of the second to the beginning portion of the third round in a majority of leagues this summer.

The risk has returned significant rewards for anyone who was confident enough selecting him. Anyone who has Cook on their roster and is currently competing in their league’s playoffs, just remember who played a major role in your team’s success.

Cook’s fantasy draft stock has skyrocketed through the roof heading into next year, and won’t be making it out of the first five picks in drafts for 2020. For those folks with him, you got quite a bargain from where he was likely selected and that doesn’t happen often for people. Once in a blue moon, you may stumble across a gem like Cook but the chances you are the lucky recipient are pretty low.

So be grateful and give yourself a pat on the back for taking the chance that others weren’t willing to do in your league. Best of luck to Cook’s managers as you guys embark on finishing the job you had set out to do back in late August. Just remember, that pick could have been one of the defining moments why you stand where you are at this very moment.

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