3 players Vikings should trade not named Kirk Cousins

Selling high on Dalvin Cook can free up cap space and garner major draft capital

Moving off Dalvin Cook in his prime would be very controversial, but keep in mind that this is a new regime in the Twin Cities. Cook has been electrifying in his first five seasons out of Florida State. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and is coming off three straight 1,000-yard seasons. However, his production in the ground game has not translated to very much postseason success.

Cook is entering the second season of a five-year contract with the Vikings worth $63 million. He will not hit unrestricted free agency until his age-31 season in 2026. Accounting for 5.56 percent of the team’s cap space, Cook is a $9.3 million dead cap hit, but that number drops down significantly to just over $3.1 million post June 1. As with Thielen, Cook offers huge trade value.

The big difference between the two is Cook can be argued for as a top-five running back in football whereas the same cannot be applied to Thielen at wide receiver anymore. While diminishing returns have not set in for Cook in the slightest, they are inevitable for a running back of any caliber. The question is does the new Vikings regime want to be holding the bag once it happens.

Trading Cook now is not a great idea, but look for Adofo-Mensah to at least hear out some offers.