Player: Dalvin Cook
Position: Running Back
College: Florida State
Draft Review:
When the college football season ended and the pre-draft process began, Cook sat atop the running back rankings. But the NFL Scouting Combine brought new concerns over his athleticism with a ninth percentile athletic score paired with his medical and off-field concerns, Cook fell out of the first round entirely.
The Minnesota Vikings didn't have a first-round pick this year, but they saw a first-round talent in Cook and landed him with their second round pick. While the team signed Latavius Murray earlier in the offseason, Minnesota's front office saw an opportunity to take the BPA and walked out with one of the early steals from the 2017 NFL Draft.
What the Scouts Say:
"Very talented runner with outstanding balance, footwork and burst. Cook lacks the power that you may find with some running backs in this year's draft, but he is a homerun hitter with a resume featuring monster games against his most highly regarded opponents."
"Cook creates for himself with elusiveness and speed, but his value could be diminished by injuries, character and issues in pass protection. If everything checks out, he could become a rookie of the year candidate right away."
NFL Media
What made Cook's poor performance at the NFL Scouting Combine so odd is the tape seemed to show a different player, a far better player. Even behind a shaky offensive line and stacked boxes at times in college, Cook produced eye-popping numbers and showed off his big-play ability nearly every week.
If Cook is healthy and avoids any problems off the field, we should see a gifted player who can be a difference maker for an offense in a variety of ways. His vision, balance and elusiveness help him compensate for any issues on the offensive line. A gifted runner and receiver, Cook fits the modern NFL offense and can play a major role.
Depth Chart Competition:
Minnesota's running back situation is where things get a little murky for Cook. Just two months ago, they signed Murray to a three-year deal worth $15 million, it seemed like a sign they were committed to him as a starting running back.
But Cook's arrival signals a committee backfield could happen in Minnesota. Murray, fresh off 12-touchdown season with 788 rushing yards and a 4 YPC average should see the larger share of carries to start out, but Cook is the more talented back and could slowly work his way into the primary role. The team also has Jerick McKinnon, who posted 794 total yards last season. Needless to say, there will be plenty of mouths to feed.
Fantasy Outlook:
We talked about Cook early on in the draft process as the likely first overall pick in dynasty rookie drafts and even an early-round selection in non-keeper leagues. But those days are long gone and Cook's landing spot is less than ideal for immediate success.
As mentioned in the depth chart section, Minnesota just committed a multi-year contract to Murray and this backfield is three deep with very capable running backs. But that is its own issue and even if you remove that element, whether it's Cook jumping atop the depth chart before the season or an injury, that still leaves Minnesota's offensive line.
The Vikings averaged 3.16 yards per carry as a team last season, the lowest mark in the NFL. Part of that can be connected to injuries to Adrian Peterson and McKinnon struggling, but the offensive line as a whole just didn't perform.
Minnesota did sign two tackles in free agency, Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers, to long-term deals and should provide immediate upgrades on the ends. If they can show consistency and the interior line can stay healthy, this group could turn things around.
Cook certainly offers some great fantasy upside, but the situation to start out in non-keeper leagues is far from ideal. In the back end of the middle rounds in non-keeper leagues, you can hit on value with Cook. He will eventually take over the job from Murray and with his ability as a runner and pass catcher, should be an RB2. In dynasty rookie drafts, you're still taking him with a top-five selection.