Dalvin Cook, you’re now a free agent! What are you gonna do now?
Well, he’s probably going to a place pretty close to DisneyWorld. But, Sports Illustrated senior writer Conor Orr thinks the Carolina Panthers could be in play.
Orr recently named what he believes to be the top 10 landing spots for Cook, who was officially released by the Minnesota Vikings on Friday. Coming in at No. 9 for the four-time Pro Bowl running back were the Panthers, who have the means:
The Panthers still have $27 million in cap space, and while they would not be the most attractive option for Cook in terms of immediate title contention, they could probably pay him more for the privilege. A running back is not necessarily the best friend of a developing quarterback, but Bryce Young would never say no to a capable backfield receiver and a backfield companion for Miles Sanders, one of the team’s most notable offseason signings. It’s clear Carolina viewed running back as a position of need. Perhaps that need is still pressing enough to make a move.
A Sanders-Cook backfield would be quite the luxury, huh? Sanders rushed for career-highs in yards (1,269) and touchdowns (11) last season while Cook posted a modest (for him) 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.
But after inking Sanders to a four-year, $25.4 million deal, do the Panthers want to devote even more of their cap to the running back position? With glaring needs for pass rushers and cornerbacks, and a long-term extension for outside linebacker Brian Burns looming, we’d assume not.
