2 min read • June 29, 2022
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In his five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Dalvin Cook has emerged as an elite three-down running back in the league and a top fantasy player.
Across his career, Cook is averaging 18.2 rushes and 86.1 yards per game in addition to 3.3 receptions for 26.8 yards per game — all while battling shoulder injuries and tearing his ACL during his rookie season.
The former Florida State running back has proven injuries will not hold him back, as he played with a torn labrum after dislocating his shoulder last season. In 13 games, the 27 year old finished with 249 rushes for 1159 yards, 34 receptions for 224 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Heading into this season, our team of Pro Football Docs is not particularly worried about Cook having serious medical concerns. Rather, his hard, through-the-trenches running style is what makes him more prone to injury.
ProFootballDoc David Chao compared Cook to a “boxer who throws a punch 100 percent, which opens himself up to the counter punch as opposed to someone whose jabbing in a balance.”
Cook has been a solid three-down back in fantasy and will continue to be a reliable running back option.
Now, however, given his recent injury history and the emergence of Alexander Mattison in his absence, Cook may not be a three-down back this season.
In his three years with Minnesota, Mattison has 330 rushes, 1387 yards and 6 touchdowns. He is not as an elite runner or pass catcher as Cook but he cannot be overlooked. The question remains if Cook will continue to get the majority of the touches.
Will Kevin O’Connell want to give less touches to Cook to maintain his longevity and look to throw to one of his exciting targets of Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, K.J. Osborn and Irv Smith Jr.?
Time will tell though some believe Cook, who signed a 5-year, $63 million extension in 2020, is being overused.
Pro Football Focus ranks the Vikings’ receiving corps at No. 15 entering the 2022 season.
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