Dalvin Cook

[Pondering Her Percy]

Why do you say that? He's not going to demand $16 million a year I would bet on it.

My thoughts on keeping him was if we could get him extended for 10 million a year. With this contract, there is no way this is happening. I think Panthers overpaid but... there is no way, Cook gives us a 1/3 discount off the CMC contract.

I think it’s going to range anywhere from $11-$13 million which I think is reasonable

[VikingsVictorious]

My thoughts on keeping him was if we could get him extended for 10 million a year. With this contract, there is no way this is happening. I think Panthers overpaid but... there is no way, Cook gives us a 1/3 discount off the CMC contract.

I think it’s going to range anywhere from $11-$13 million which I think is reasonable

Reasonable yes. Worth it? I'm not sure.

[RandyMoss84]

My thoughts on keeping him was if we could get him extended for 10 million a year. With this contract, there is no way this is happening. I think Panthers overpaid but... there is no way, Cook gives us a 1/3 discount off the CMC contract.

I think it’s going to range anywhere from $11-$13 million which I think is reasonable

$10 million is reasonable, $11-13 million is overpaying for an injury prone player

[VikingsVictorious]

I think it’s going to range anywhere from $11-$13 million which I think is reasonable

$10 million is reasonable, $11-13 million is overpaying for an injury prone player

I know it is strange to look at $10 million a year to play a game as being not enough, but in the NFL world I would be shocked if we could extend a top NFL RB for ONLY $10 Million a year. As for injury prone that trending way down. He missed 12 games his rookie year 5 games his second year and only 2 last year. If that trend continues he will never miss another game.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I think it’s going to range anywhere from $11-$13 million which I think is reasonable

$10 million is reasonable, $11-13 million is overpaying for an injury prone player

Again I don’t buy being “injury prone”. No less it doesn’t tell the whole story when it comes to a players career and upcoming years. Rudy is a perfect example

[RandyMoss84]

$10 million is reasonable, $11-13 million is overpaying for an injury prone player

Again I don’t buy being “injury prone”. No less it doesn’t tell the whole story when it comes to a players career and upcoming years. Rudy is a perfect example

How can you not buy being injury prone? It has been 3 years and he has not played a full season yet

[YikesVikes]

Again I don’t buy being “injury prone”. No less it doesn’t tell the whole story when it comes to a players career and upcoming years. Rudy is a perfect example

How can you not buy being injury prone? It has been 3 years and he has not played a full season yet

not a big deal

[VikingsVictorious]

Again I don’t buy being “injury prone”. No less it doesn’t tell the whole story when it comes to a players career and upcoming years. Rudy is a perfect example

How can you not buy being injury prone? It has been 3 years and he has not played a full season yet

Most players don't play a full season. He only missed two games last year. Pro Bowler.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Again I don’t buy being “injury prone”. No less it doesn’t tell the whole story when it comes to a players career and upcoming years. Rudy is a perfect example

How can you not buy being injury prone? It has been 3 years and he has not played a full season yet

Blowing out an ACL doesn’t make you injury prone. Tom Brady blew his out, AP, Jamaal Charles, etc. I don’t consider those guys injury prone. It’s just a freak injury. I’ve said before what worries me is soft tissue injuries. He had the hamstring so stuff like that is concerning to me. If anything, I call him getting hurt 3 seasons in a row severity aside, bad luck.

But back to my example, Kyle Rudolph missed 16 games in his first 4 seasons. Everyone called him “injury prone”. Following that, in the last 5 years Rudy hasn’t missed a single game. Dalvin cook took on double the overall touches he ever has in his career this year and only missed 2 games. There really is no validity to say he’s “injury prone”. It’s something to keep in mind but if he’s so “injury prone”, wouldn’t he have been hurt much more this year given he took on over 300 touches??

In his first TWO seasons, cook totaled:

-258 total touches and missed 17 games

This year, cook totaled:

-303 total touches and missed 2 games.

I don’t see someone that’s injury prone. I see someone that was nailed with some bad luck

[VikingLord]

But back to my example, Kyle Rudolph missed 16 games in his first 4 seasons. Everyone called him “injury prone”. Following that, in the last 5 years Rudy hasn’t missed a single game. Dalvin cook took on double the overall touches he ever has in his career this year and only missed 2 games. There really is no validity to say he’s “injury prone”. It’s something to keep in mind but if he’s so “injury prone”, wouldn’t he have been hurt much more this year given he took on over 300 touches??

In his first TWO seasons, cook totaled:

-258 total touches and missed 17 games

This year, cook totaled:

-303 total touches and missed 2 games.

I don’t see someone that’s injury prone. I see someone that was nailed with some bad luck

Tight ends, with a few possible exceptions, don't take the kind of pounding that running backs typically take.

And while it is true that Cook missed 2 games last year, that isn't an honest assessment of his health. He was chronically injured for what seemed like most of the 2nd half of the season. It affected his production substantially. There were games when he had only a few touches before having to leave the game, other games where he sat out for substantial stretches and he fumbled more frequently as well.

If folks think Cook is worth what the Panthers are paying McCaffrey, that's great. Invest a ton of cap in a position that has a short shelf life to begin with, and top that off with investing that money in a player at that position who, no matter how you twist it and turn it, has yet to play a full season and has never played an effective part in helping his team advance in the playoffs.

To me, that is a losing strategy. That is an approach that might produce a handful of highlight reel plays and maybe tip a game or two in the Vikings favor during the regular season, but that hamstrings their ability to field a more complete overall team and ultimately doesn't move the bar towards their ability to get to, much less compete for, a Superbowl. At best a move like that keeps them in place, but more likely it moves them away from that goal, slightly at first, but the move away accelerates over the life of the extension as the RB gets older and less effective while the base money he's owed tends to increase.

The Vikings would be far better off trading him than extending him if they want to maximize his long-term value to the team IMHO.

[fiestavike]

But back to my example, Kyle Rudolph missed 16 games in his first 4 seasons. Everyone called him “injury prone”. Following that, in the last 5 years Rudy hasn’t missed a single game. Dalvin cook took on double the overall touches he ever has in his career this year and only missed 2 games. There really is no validity to say he’s “injury prone”. It’s something to keep in mind but if he’s so “injury prone”, wouldn’t he have been hurt much more this year given he took on over 300 touches??

In his first TWO seasons, cook totaled:

-258 total touches and missed 17 games

This year, cook totaled:

-303 total touches and missed 2 games.

I don’t see someone that’s injury prone. I see someone that was nailed with some bad luck

Tight ends, with a few possible exceptions, don't take the kind of pounding that running backs typically take.

And while it is true that Cook missed 2 games last year, that isn't an honest assessment of his health. He was chronically injured for what seemed like most of the 2nd half of the season. It affected his production substantially. There were games when he had only a few touches before having to leave the game, other games where he sat out for substantial stretches and he fumbled more frequently as well.

If folks think Cook is worth what the Panthers are paying McCaffrey, that's great. Invest a ton of cap in a position that has a short shelf life to begin with, and top that off with investing that money in a player at that position who, no matter how you twist it and turn it, has yet to play a full season and has never played an effective part in helping his team advance in the playoffs.

To me, that is a losing strategy. That is an approach that might produce a handful of highlight reel plays and maybe tip a game or two in the Vikings favor during the regular season, but that hamstrings their ability to field a more complete overall team and ultimately doesn't move the bar towards their ability to get to, much less compete for, a Superbowl. At best a move like that keeps them in place, but more likely it moves them away from that goal, slightly at first, but the move away accelerates over the life of the extension as the RB gets older and less effective while the base money he's owed tends to increase.

The Vikings would be far better off trading him than extending him if they want to maximize his long-term value to the team IMHO.

Yep. Now is the time to move Dalvin. If they could somehow get an early 2nd round pick or better for him, gotta do it.

[RandyMoss84]

VikingLord-I agree with what you said, I hope Vikings will do it

[J. Kapp 11]

How can you not buy being injury prone? It has been 3 years and he has not played a full season yet

Blowing out an ACL doesn’t make you injury prone. Tom Brady blew his out, AP, Jamaal Charles, etc. I don’t consider those guys injury prone. It’s just a freak injury. I’ve said before what worries me is soft tissue injuries. He had the hamstring so stuff like that is concerning to me. If anything, I call him getting hurt 3 seasons in a row severity aside, bad luck.

But back to my example, Kyle Rudolph missed 16 games in his first 4 seasons. Everyone called him “injury prone”. Following that, in the last 5 years Rudy hasn’t missed a single game. Dalvin cook took on double the overall touches he ever has in his career this year and only missed 2 games. There really is no validity to say he’s “injury prone”. It’s something to keep in mind but if he’s so “injury prone”, wouldn’t he have been hurt much more this year given he took on over 300 touches??

In his first TWO seasons, cook totaled:

-258 total touches and missed 17 games

This year, cook totaled:

-303 total touches and missed 2 games.

I don’t see someone that’s injury prone. I see someone that was nailed with some bad luck

Gotta disagree with you here, PHP. And it kills me because I LOVE Dalvin Cook. (I'm sorta partial to running backs, anyway.)

Dalvin was injured three times in college before ever being drafted. He of course had the ACL tear, but missed a lot of time in 2018 with hamstring and other injuries. He only missed five games completely but was on a pitch count for several others.

Last year, Cook finished 12th in the NFL in touches, but 243 of his 303 came in the first 10 weeks of the season. In the four games he played through the end of the regular season, he averaged 12.5 touches per game, an average that would have ranked him 33rd for the overall season. He did have a stellar game against the Saints in the playoffs and had 31 touches, but then had 9 carries for 18 yards against the 49ers, even though the game was close throughout the first half.

But the biggest thing, and it PAINS me to say this, is that teams that pay running backs big money tend to not make the playoffs. Of the top 10 highest-paid running backs in 2019, only three of their teams made the playoffs. Two of those, Jerrick McKinnon and Lamar Miller, didn't even play during the season. The other was Duke Johnson, who will never be confused with Gayle Sayers.

It's the case every year in today's NFL. You can't blow the cap on running backs. And you certainly can't pay running backs the kind of money Dalvin is likely to demand and expect to win. And if Gary Kubiak can make 1,000 yard rushers out of Reuben Droughns, Arian Foster and Justin Forsett, then we'll probably be fine without Dalvin Cook.

Even though I hate the idea of not having him, this is probably the time to deal him, when his value is highest, if the Vikings can find a partner. Let somebody else worry about paying him or not paying him.

[Pondering Her Percy]

But back to my example, Kyle Rudolph missed 16 games in his first 4 seasons. Everyone called him “injury prone”. Following that, in the last 5 years Rudy hasn’t missed a single game. Dalvin cook took on double the overall touches he ever has in his career this year and only missed 2 games. There really is no validity to say he’s “injury prone”. It’s something to keep in mind but if he’s so “injury prone”, wouldn’t he have been hurt much more this year given he took on over 300 touches??

In his first TWO seasons, cook totaled:

-258 total touches and missed 17 games

This year, cook totaled:

-303 total touches and missed 2 games.

I don’t see someone that’s injury prone. I see someone that was nailed with some bad luck

Tight ends, with a few possible exceptions, don't take the kind of pounding that running backs typically take.

And while it is true that Cook missed 2 games last year, that isn't an honest assessment of his health. He was chronically injured for what seemed like most of the 2nd half of the season. It affected his production substantially. There were games when he had only a few touches before having to leave the game, other games where he sat out for substantial stretches and he fumbled more frequently as well.

If folks think Cook is worth what the Panthers are paying McCaffrey, that's great. Invest a ton of cap in a position that has a short shelf life to begin with, and top that off with investing that money in a player at that position who, no matter how you twist it and turn it, has yet to play a full season and has never played an effective part in helping his team advance in the playoffs.

To me, that is a losing strategy. That is an approach that might produce a handful of highlight reel plays and maybe tip a game or two in the Vikings favor during the regular season, but that hamstrings their ability to field a more complete overall team and ultimately doesn't move the bar towards their ability to get to, much less compete for, a Superbowl. At best a move like that keeps them in place, but more likely it moves them away from that goal, slightly at first, but the move away accelerates over the life of the extension as the RB gets older and less effective while the base money he's owed tends to increase.

The Vikings would be far better off trading him than extending him if they want to maximize his long-term value to the team IMHO.

But that’s what guys are missing. Nobody is saying he’s worth what the panthers gave mccaffery. Nobody thinks he should get paid that. But I also think extending him for a reasonable amount is what the Vikings should do. He’s not just an average running back or even above average. What dalvin cook brings to the field is near elite. That’s something you can’t always find. He’s right in the same class as the mccaffery and Kamaras of today. Even though I think he’s better than Kamara anyways. You can find a great “runner” anywhere, you can find a great pass catching back anywhere. It’s very hard to find a RB that’s not only great but near elite at both. Like I think it was a mistake when the chargers gave ekeler the money they did. I think he’s too one dimensional. Derek Henry is another one. Similar to AP in his playing style and an absolute stud but just not a pass catcher. Cook brings so much to the game than many other RBs. I get what you’re saying with the injuries but I’d rather put my money on him panning out than letting him walk and making us look like idiots.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Blowing out an ACL doesn’t make you injury prone. Tom Brady blew his out, AP, Jamaal Charles, etc. I don’t consider those guys injury prone. It’s just a freak injury. I’ve said before what worries me is soft tissue injuries. He had the hamstring so stuff like that is concerning to me. If anything, I call him getting hurt 3 seasons in a row severity aside, bad luck.

But back to my example, Kyle Rudolph missed 16 games in his first 4 seasons. Everyone called him “injury prone”. Following that, in the last 5 years Rudy hasn’t missed a single game. Dalvin cook took on double the overall touches he ever has in his career this year and only missed 2 games. There really is no validity to say he’s “injury prone”. It’s something to keep in mind but if he’s so “injury prone”, wouldn’t he have been hurt much more this year given he took on over 300 touches??

In his first TWO seasons, cook totaled:

-258 total touches and missed 17 games

This year, cook totaled:

-303 total touches and missed 2 games.

I don’t see someone that’s injury prone. I see someone that was nailed with some bad luck

Gotta disagree with you here, PHP. And it kills me because I LOVE Dalvin Cook. (I'm sorta partial to running backs, anyway.)

Dalvin was injured three times in college before ever being drafted. He of course had the ACL tear, but missed a lot of time in 2018 with hamstring and other injuries. He only missed five games completely but was on a pitch count for several others.

Last year, Cook finished 12th in the NFL in touches, but 243 of his 303 came in the first 10 weeks of the season. In the four games he played through the end of the regular season, he averaged 12.5 touches per game, an average that would have ranked him 33rd for the overall season. He did have a stellar game against the Saints in the playoffs and had 31 touches, but then had 9 carries for 18 yards against the 49ers, even though the game was close throughout the first half.

But the biggest thing, and it PAINS me to say this, is that teams that pay running backs big money tend to not make the playoffs. Of the top 10 highest-paid running backs in 2019, only three of their teams made the playoffs. Two of those, Jerrick McKinnon and Lamar Miller, didn't even play during the season. The other was Duke Johnson, who will never be confused with Gayle Sayers.

It's the case every year in today's NFL. You can't blow the cap on running backs. And you certainly can't pay running backs the kind of money Dalvin is likely to demand and expect to win. And if Gary Kubiak can make 1,000 yard rushers out of Reuben Droughns, Arian Foster and Justin Forsett, then we'll probably be fine without Dalvin Cook.

Even though I hate the idea of not having him, this is probably the time to deal him, when his value is highest, if the Vikings can find a partner. Let somebody else worry about paying him or not paying him.

No worries Kapp but I guess this is my question, when should you ever extend a RB? Do we just rent them for 4 years and let them walk every time? For RBs to stay healthy for entire seasons year after year is low to begin with. It’s just not realistic anymore even though mccaffery somehow pulled it off. But look many of the big time backs. Barkley, Fournette, Kamara, Gurley, Gordon, Elliott, etc. Any idea how many full 16 game seasons were played out of those 6 RBs total in their careers? 5 out of a possible 22 seasons, those RBs played a full season. So given that statistic does that really make dalvin cook injury prone or is that just the nature of the position. I’m going with the latter.

I get what some are saying that you don’t want to pay that much for a guy that’s going to miss games but what else do you do other than rent a RB for 4 years and draft a new one when his 4 years is up. The chances of finding a RB that plays FULL consecutive seasons year after year is about as high as me hitting the lottery. So given that it’s the nature of the position, doesn’t it make sense to pay the elite ones when you have the chance? Just a different way to look at it I guess. Many of you make some very fair points but you gotta look at the other side of it too