5 teams that should call Vikings about Dalvin Cook

GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 15: Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) ran in for a 75-yard touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at Lambeau Field. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune via Getty Images) /

3 of 5

TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 29: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Dalvin Cook to the Atlanta Falcons

On paper, the Atlanta Falcons made a blockbuster free-agent signing when they picked up Todd Gurley, whose best days in the NFL may be over after injuries, including a torn ACL. But giving up on Gurley, as he showed in college, would be unwise.

Still, Gurley averaged under four yards per carry last season. He did so behind a much worse offensive line and had to deal with Jared Goff’s ineptitude at quarterback, so his ability to score 12 touchdowns should be praised. Even so, it was a drop-off from the league-leading 13 and 17 touchdowns he put up in 2017 and ’18, respectively.

Trading for Dalvin Cook would be a bold move for the Falcons, but this is an organization that has gone bold before. They drafted Calvin Ridley in the first round and paired him up with Julio Jones, creating what could become the league’s best wide receiver duo for perenially under-appreciated quarterback Matt Ryan.

Imagine the caliber of talent they could have at running back with Cook and Gurley, whose workload would be greatly reduced with a guy like Cook on the roster. As it stands right now, Gurley’s backup is Ito Smith, who only had 22 carries last season and owns a career yards per carry average of 3.8.

Home/Minnesota Vikings