Veteran running back Dalvin Cook is being released by the New York Jets this week for a chance to play with a contender, per multiple reports.
The once-electric running back signed with the Jets as a complimentary piece of an offense led by Aaron Rodgers, but the latter’s season-ending injury changed New York’s season almost immediately.
Cook fell behind in New York’s rotation, only logging 67 carries for 214 yards and 15 catches for 78 yards. He’s averaging only 3.2 yards a carry.
No matter, there will likely be some NFL contender who feels Cook is worth having around for a possible Super Bowl push this month.
Four-time Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook and the #Jets have mutually agreed to part ways, allowing Cook the opportunity to play for a playoff team, per his agency @LAASportsEnt.
The dynamic playmaker has fresh legs after minimal usage in NY and can now compete for a Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/fhIjZo5tNw
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 2, 2024
We’ve taken a look at five teams who would make sense for Cook, including one team down in Texas who could really use some help at running back right now.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys might make the most sense for Cook, as Dallas would surely welcome a veteran rusher to help buoy its postseason chances.
Tony Pollard is a very solid lead rusher, but the team lacks proven experience behind him. It’d be very easy to see Cook signing with the Cowboys and playing a handful of snaps during January football.
While the San Francisco 49ers are the class of the NFC, adding Cook for postseason football would make the Cowboys a bit more dangerous on offense.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens might make the most sense for Cook, as Baltimore lost breakout rookie running back Keaton Mitchell recently for the year and had already lost J.K. Dobbins at the start of the season.
Baltimore would still likely lead with Gus Edwards and Justice Hill on offense, but Cook would be good insurance and could play on select downs to keep Edwards and Hill as fresh as possible.
The team also has Melvin Gordon on the active roster as well, but practice squad depth never hurts.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have running back Raheem Mostert struggling with injuries, which could prompt them to take advantage of veteran insurance with Cook.
Miami already has one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, so Cook could just factor in as needed and join one of the more promising postseason teams in the AFC (even if making it all the way to the Super Bowl feels like a long shot with how they match up against the Ravens).
Mostert’s injury status could give the Dolphins the needed motivation to add some extra help for playoff time at running back, and Cook fits the bill.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs can basically use all the help they can get right now to make a serious push in the AFC. Cook won’t solve all of their problems, but they may try to get him in the building to see if he could fix any of them.
Cook could play a role in the passing game if needed, and he’d be a fresher pair of veteran legs for Kansas City with only 67 carries on the season so far.
We’re not sure if this would actually happen, but it’d make sense.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns have made up for Nick Chubb’s season-ending injury just fine with the trio of Kareem Hunt, Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr., but what’s one extra veteran in the room going to hurt?
If Cook wants to sign with a practice squad and just see how far Joe Flacco’s improbable comeback can take Cleveland, this might not be a bad landing spot.
It remains to be seen if Cleveland would even need Cook for January, but they’re an intriguing sleeper candidate.
