The NFL law of supply and demand is once again not working in the favor of big-name veteran running backs. Dalvin Cook, with his release from the Vikings, is the latest star to become available, joining the typical pre-summer pool of free agents still left at the position.
Right in the middle of the offseason program and just ahead of training camp, most teams have their backfield plans set for the 2023 regular season. But with further assessment of talent and some injury concerns, a few more opportunities should surface.
Here's a look at where Cook, Ezekiel Elliott and others running back would fit best in late free agency:
IYER: Best NFL free agents by position | NFL offseason grades by team
NFL free agent RB best fits
Dalvin Cook
Best fit: Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins were rumored to have trade interest in Cook earlier in the offseason. Although Miami did re-sign Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr. and Myles Gaskin and used a third-round pick to draft rookie Devon Achane, team officials can't deny that Cook is a great fit for coach Mike McDaniels' 49ers-like zone blocking scheme.
Mostert and Wilson have carried their durability issues from San Francisco and Gaskin is a depth player at this point. Cook has held up well as a high-volume workhorse to think McDaniel might want to copycat Kyle Shanahan's move for Christian McCaffrey and go for a standout veteran back from the 2017 class.
This is Cook's best shot for a reasonable facsimile of his feature work from Minnesota, with Achane providing a dynamic change of pace over the incumbent crowd.
MORE: Why did Vikings release Dalvin Cook?
Ezekiel Elliott
Best fit: Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers know they will still have Austin Ekeler as their lead, receiving- and scoring-forward back, but between recent draft picks Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller and Larry Rountree III, no one has stood out well as a power-based backup. Elliott did just that, helping Tony Pollard finish drives in Dallas under new L.A., offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
Elliott has lost plenty of his juice with his past high volume, but he proved he can still be effective when needed running in the red zone.
Leonard Fournette
Best fit: Dallas Cowboys
When the Cowboys' released Elliott, they officially anointed franchise-tagged Pollard as the lead. But their best backup options for now are undrafted second-year back Malik Davis and former Buccaneer Ronald Jones with rookie sixth-rounder Deuce Vaughn being fourth on the depth chart.
Fournette can ease the burden on Pollard in power situations and also when needed handle pass protection and receiving. At this stage, for their purposes in now a Mike McCarthy-called offense, Fournette can give them more than Elliott did.
Kareem Hunt
Best fit: Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have Cam Akers cast in the lead role, but between Kyren Williams, Ronnie Rivers and rookie Zach Evans, there's no reliable, versatile No. 2 for Akers, who has his share of past durability issues. Hunt remains a well-rounded asset who can be seamless relief for Akers as a rusher and receiver.
Mark Ingram
Best fit: Denver Broncos
The Broncos have been tied to considering Cook as a contingency for Javonte Williams' recovery from a major knee injury, but they already made a good enough pickup there in former ace Bengals No. 2 Samaje Perine.
Sean Payton and Joe Lombardi already have one former Saint on the depth chart in Tony Jones Jr, but Ingram, even with his limited tank at 33, can be a good further insurance power presence on the field and in the locker room. This should only happen, however, if it's clear Williams needs more time than expected back.
Darrel Williams
Best fit: Washington Commanders
The Commanders' backfield seems rather loaded with Antonio Gibson, Brian Robinson Jr., rookie sixth-rounder Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jarret Patterson. But none of them have experience with new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Williams' versatility and connection with Bieniemy from Kansas City could get him added to mix to compete for a spot.
J.D. McKissic
Best fit: Cleveland Browns
The Browns didn't re-sign Hunt and also saw former strong sub D'Ernest Johnson sign with the Jaguars. Nick Chubb has held up well as the lead and remains in his prime, and the team would seem to be OK in power situations with the limited backup trio of Jerome Ford, Demetric Felton Jr. and John Kelley Jr. But McKissic can give them the dedicated passing-down receiving back to replace Hunt's key capacity in complementing Chubb.
Dontrell Hilliard
Best fit: Chicago Bears
The Bears moved on from David Montgomery by signing former Panther D'Onta Foreman and former Seahawk Travis Homer before drafting rookie Roschon Johnson in the fourth-rounder. Between them and holdover Khalil Herbert, there's no real standout receiving change of pace.
Hilliard in 2021 with Foreman, provided a fine 1-2 punch filling in for Derrick Henry in Tennessee. Like Williams in Washington, he might worth a flyer in Chicago to sort out the situational pecking order in a committee.
