Dalvin Cook Falls One Spot in ESPN’s Running Back Rankings
Josh Frey
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Dalvin Cook entered the NFL in 2017 when the Vikings selected him out of Florida State with the 41st overall pick. Since that time, Cook recorded three consecutive 1000-yard seasons from 2019-2021 and made Pro Bowls in each. Even still, the veteran RB was unable to escape the trend of Minnesota Vikings falling down ESPN’s list of player rankings.
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Every year, Jeremy Fowler puts together lists based on polls from 50 coaches, executives and players around the NFL, and thus far, Kirk Cousins and Eric Kendricks have failed to make the top 10 in their position while Harrison Smith took a tumble in the safety rankings.
For Cook, he does not fall as far as some of the other Vikings, but his 2022 ranking is a drop nonetheless. Ahead of the 2021 season, he found himself ranked as the third-best RB in the NFL. This time around, Cook’s NFL peers view him as the fourth best, behind the trio of Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, and Nick Chubb. Here is the full list of 10:
- Derrick Henry (TEN)
- Jonathan Taylor (IND)
- Nick Chubb (CLE)
- Dalvin Cook (MIN)
- Alvin Kamara (NO)
- Joe Mixon (CIN)
- Christian McCaffrey (CAR)
- Najee Harris (PIT)
- Aaron Jones (GB)
- Javonte Williams (DEN)
Some honorable mentions for the list also included Austin Ekeler, Ezekiel Elliott, and Saquon Barkley. It’s clear the voters of this list value good health at the running back spot. Alvin Kamara was the consensus No. 2 RB prior to the 2021 season, but now having missed four games last year and having his least productive season since entering the league, the Saints star finds himself at No. 5. Then there’s the cases of Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley who would likely rank higher if they could remain on the field.
As for Cook, he’s remained relatively healthy in recent years, but the concerns over potential injury woes remain after multiple years of being Minnesota’s workhorse out of the backfield. Here’s some input from an NFL offensive coach:
“He needs to stay on the field. The whole team is different when he’s in there. He’s great and can get even better with discipline as a runner and growing as a third-down receiver. I think he’ll show a more all-around game in a new offense.”
-NFL offensive coach on Dalvin Cook
This coach also points out something that I think the new Kevin O’Connell offense will be able to unlock in 2022. He describes Cook as showing a more “all-around game” and “growing as a third-down receiver”. I feel that this will be vital for the Vikings star to remain healthy in future years while also making Minnesota’s attack more dynamic.
But what about all you readers out there? Do you feel that Dalvin Cook is ranked properly ahead of the 2022 season, or is he too high or too low? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook!
