NFL Player Profile: Dalvin Cook–Minnesota Vikings
Known as one of the best running backs in the National Football League, when healthy, Dalvin Cook of Miami, Florida will be counted on significantly to be a major contributor for the Minnesota Vikings this season, The big question is can the Vikings close the gap in the NFC North with star wide receiver Davante Adams leaving the Green Bay Packers for the Las Vegas Raiders?
2021 Season
Dalvin Cook had 249 rushes for 1159 yards and six touchdowns in 2021 with 34 catches for 224 yards. This was the third straight year that Cook reached the 1100 yard rushing plateau when it came to yards. He had 1135 yards in 2019 and 1557 yards in 2020. In each of these three seasons, Cook went to the Pro Bowl. Cook also had 34 catches for 224 yards. Cook’s best game in 2021 came on December 9, when he had 27 rushes for 205 yards and two touchdowns in a 36-28 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 205 yards were the most number of rushing yards by a running back during the 2021 NFL regular season.
Leading up to the NFL
Dalvin Cook played his college football at Florida State. He was with the Seminoles from 2014 to 2016. He was then the second round pick, 41st overall, in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Vikings. It should be noted that Dalvin’s younger brother James Cook was drafted in the second round, 63rd overall, in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills after playing his college career at the University of Georgia.
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NFL Career
In 56 games and 1018 rushes, Cook has 4820 yards and 39 touchdowns. He has 182 catches for 1499 yards and three touchdowns. Injuries were a significant issue for Cook to begin his NFL career. He tore his ACL in 2017 and only played four games. He then injured his hamstring in 2018.
Minnesota Vikings 2022
Heading into the 2022 NFL regular season, Cook is part of a very strong offense in Minnesota. It includes quarterback Kirk Cousins, and wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. The Vikings’ two most significant free agent signings came on defense. On March 14, they signed defensive tackle Harrison Phillips to a three-year deal worth $19.5 million after playing the last four seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Then on March 22, they signed outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith to a three-year deal worth $42 million after playing the last three seasons with the Packers and the previous four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
