It seems with every passing season in the NFL, teams are de-valuing the running back position more and more. Organizations and general managers are much less likely to use a high draft pick or give a large contract to a running back these days compared to years past.
There have been rumors floating around the NFL all off season that the Minnesota Vikings may be looking to move on from their star running back Dalvin Cook, despite the fact that he has been one of the more productive runners in the league over the last five seasons.
Some have questioned Cook’s durability as he never played a full season in his first five seasons, but he put those questions to rest last season when he played in all 17 games and registered over 1,000 yards rushing for the fourth consecutive year.
Dalvin still has three years remaining on the five-year contract he signed in 2020, however, it is very possible that the Vikings could release him. If they do so, Minnesota would save nearly $8 million against the cap, which puts his future with the team is serious jeopardy.
The Vikings did draft a running back in this years draft, selecting DeWayne McBride with their seventh round pick and still have Alexander Mattison on the roster who has filled in admirably whenever Cook was out due to injury.
Although the running back position does not hold as much value in today’s NFL as it used to, it would still be surprising for the Vikings to just let Cook go without getting anything in return. Going the trade route might be the best possible option, but as Chargers star running back Austin Ekeler has found out this off season, that may not be so easy either.
