3 Teams That Should Sign Dalvin Cook to Improve Super Bowl Odds
One NFL team's odds to win the Super Bowl are about to get a lot better following the release of dynamic running back Dalvin Cook.
The four-time Pro Bowler was reportedly informed today he is being released by the Vikings, thus making him a free agent.
While he's suffered from shoulder issues recently and his explosive burst has diminished, Cook remains a productive back. He rushed for over 1,000 yards each of the last four seasons and is a dangerous weapon catching passes out of the backfield.
Cook is best suited to join a Super Bowl contender and help push them over the top. Here are three teams I envision trying to sign him and improve their Super Bowl chances.
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Now, back to the teams.
1. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are in win-now mode even though they're probably the third or fourth best team in their division currently. This feels like a prove-it year for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and with all the receiving weapons they have you can understand why.
The one area Miami is weakest is running back. Raheem Mostert, the current projected starter, is always one step away from a season-ending injury and Jeff Wilson Jr., while a good story the last few years, isn't on the same level as Cook.
While signing Cook alone wouldn't alter the Dolphins' Super Bowl odds single handedly, his presence on that team would make them more of a contender than they are currently.
2. New York Jets
Another AFC East team and another squad that's all-in on winning a Super Bowl this season. With Aaron Rodgers and a formidable receiving core secured, the Jets could use some help at running back.
Breece Hall was a breakout performer last year, but he's also coming off a torn ACL and it's unclear if his body is capable of handling a full workload over the course of a season. Behind him you have Michael Carter, who's more of a receiving back than a bellcow.
Besides Cook's ability as a rusher and passer, he's a solid blocker, which is a huge element to Rodgers success when he goes play action. This fit makes a ton of sense for the Jets and would instantly improve their chances of winning a Super Bowl.
3. Cincinatti Bengals
The Bengals haven't been linked to Cook and don't have a clear need at running back, so this is a bit of a wild card. But this story is about who SHOULD sign Cook to increase their Super Bowl chances, not who WILL sign him.
Joe Mixon is coming off a subpar season where he averaged only 3.9 yards per carry and missed three games due to injury. While he's clearly among the upper echelon of running backs, lightening his workload and even pairing him with another elite back can only help the Bengals Super Bowl chances.
The Bengals Super Bowl window will be open as long as Joe Burrow is under center, but they can't afford to keep wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd together forever. They signed Orlando Brown Jr. this offseason to a fat contract to be their left tackle, proving this is a Super-Bowl-or-bust campaign. Nothing would solidify that more than signing Cook and giving Burrow one of the most potent one-two RB combos in the league.
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