A year removed from the first fully healthy season of Dalvin Cook's career, the Vikings have decided to move on from the soon-to-be-28-year old running back in favor of backup Alexander Mattison.
Cook, who had his fourth straight 1,000-plus rushing yard season in 2022, appears to have a few different options now that he has officially been released. The fire appears to be the most prevalent around the Dolphins, but a few other running back-needy teams may also be sniffing around the four-time Pro Bowler.
The biggest thing keeping Cook away from teams on the Vikings was his contract. Minnesota was shopping the star this summer, but it ultimately couldn't find a suitor for the remainder of his five-year, $63 million deal.
With that obstacle out of the way, Cook joins Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette as some of the most productive running backs on the market.
Although the ominous running back age of 28 looms large for teams looking to take a flier on Cook, it's clear he still has gas in the tank. While he isn't a player anyone will sign to build around, he could be a nice addition for a win-now team.
MORE: Why is Dalvin Cook leaving the Vikings?
With that in mind, here are a few teams who could fit the criteria to land Cook for the 2023 season.
Dalvin Cook landing spots
Miami Dolphins
Undoubtedly the most talked-about spot for Cook, the Miami Dolphins seem on the surface to be a good fit.
It's a team looking to make the jump in Mike McDaniel's second year, and the Dolphins were reportedly engaged in trade talks for Cook.
With that being said, the Dolphins' backfield is crowded. Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. have been joined by draft pick Devon Achane. So if the trade talks happened before the draft, Cook to the Dolphins could be far less than a done deal.
Denver Broncos
The other team with strong reported interest in Cook, per Adam Schefter, is the Denver Broncos.
The Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos are two of the teams that are expected to have an interest in signing running back Dalvin Cook once he officially is released, per sources. There likely will be others, but those two have been monitoring Cook for weeks.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 8, 2023
Cook could find himself in much the same position he was in in Minnesota with the Broncos, who have Javonte Williams to handle the lion's share of the running back load.
However, if Cook would be willing to come in and spell, he could supersede Samaje Perine on Denver's depth chart.
The Broncos had a host of issues last season, but it could make sense for them to kick the tires on Cook. They've done it before with the likes of Melvin Gordon.
Buffalo Bills
After the two teams with strong reported interest, the connections become thin.
The Bills simply can't stop being attached to offensive free agents, as they continue to shore things up around Josh Allen.
The backfield is already veteran-heavy, with Cook's younger brother James heading up a unit that also has Damien Harris and Latavius Murray.
It's a bit of a reach for a team that is already spending a lot of money, but the salary cap could be manipulated if the Bills want to add another running back badly enough. They had a strong ground game last year. If they want to avoid a drop-off, Cook could make sense.
MORE: Bills, Eagles, Chiefs among top potential landing spots for DeAndre Hopkins
Dallas Cowboys
Given that the Cowboys just moved off 27-year-old Ezekiel Elliott in favor of Tony Pollard (so, basically exactly what's happening with Cook), this is a longshot.
If the price is right, however, the Cowboys could add Cook to a backfield that needs some help past Pollard.
This would really only materialize if Cook struggles to find suitors besides Dallas. But stranger things have certainly happened. The Cowboys haven't slammed the door on an Elliott reunion either. Cook could be a compromise of sorts.
MORE: Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler set to lead Vikings' backfield after Dalvin Cook departure
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With Cook having autonomy in where he goes, he'll probably want to find a new home with a contender.
However, the Buccaneers, similar to the Cowboys, just moved off Fournette and have looked at Elliott already this offseason, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
With that in mind, it stands to reason they're going to do their homework on any free agents out and about. Cook's home may be Florida, but he played college football in Tallahassee. Perhaps being a bit further north than South Beach would appeal to him, particularly if the Dolphins decide they're content with their backfield situation. However, the cap situation in Tampa would make this situation tough.
