Dalvin Cook Fantasy Football Outlook & Value 2019

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Position Ranking– RB10, ADP– 2.05, Auction Value ($200)– $43, Team– MIN, Bye– 12

Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis believes Dalvin Cook will be a player to keep an eye on this year. According to him, “Cook will be a major player in the Vikings’ offense in 2019”. Fantasy owners will see whether he can develop into an elite RB1 in this upcoming season.

The 2018 Minnesota Vikings were a good but not great offense in the league, ranking 19th overall. They were 13th in passing yards and 10th in passing TDs. Running a 3 wide receiver set led by Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, the running game was also efficient with Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray. This year, the Vikings will likely let Cook be their feature back with Ameer Abdullah as a #2 back rather than forming a two man committee.

Upside

If Cook becomes the feature back in Minnesota, there’s a chance he could become one of the best backs in the league. In only 11 games, he put up 651 rushing yards in a two back committee. Without a threat of anyone taking or splitting time with his carries, look for Cook to average close to 18-20 carries per game. Part of the reason he scored so low in fantasy last year was his shared committee and lack of touchdowns. Lataivius Murray rushed for 6 compared to Cook’s 2. Nevertheless, Cook has potential to breakout for 1,110 rushing yards and 9 TDs.

Floor

The only threat to Cook’s game is the equally impressive passing game. There’s no doubt Kirk Cousins should improve in his second year with the Vikings and the combo of Thielen and Diggs to improve. Add in another year of production from tight end Kyle Rudolph and there might not be a lot of attempts left for Cook. Whatever amount of carries Minnesota decides Cook should get, he’ll at least get 800 yards and 5 TDs.

Former #NFL MVP, Terrell Davis, believes #Vikings RB Dalvin Cook is heading toward a breakout season https://t.co/xohRExJfGZ

— The Viking Age (@TheVikingAge) June 29, 2019

Terrell Davis expects big things from Dalvin Cook in 2019 https://t.co/CtfAoANv8f

— Touchdown Wire (@TheNFLWire) June 29, 2019

What to Expect

Cook is currently ranked as the 10th running back off the board and holds an auction value of $43. He’s currently projected to have 2nd round draft value. This year, top running backs are clearly going in the first and second round of drafts. Cook is among them, ranking as a low end RB1 and very solid option as your top running back. If you’re lucky to get him as your second running back on your roster, there’s no doubt your team will have one of the best running games throughout your league.

While he doesn’t have the pedigrees of some of the other tier 1 running backs, Cook provides great RB1 upside and at worst, shouldn’t finish lower than a RB2 at the end of the fantasy season. His round 2 evaluation is right in line with other running backs. Though he doesn’t have the track record to be a strong RB1 to start the year, neither do most of the running backs being taken in round 2. His auction value of $43 seems to be a bit high compared to some of his other options. Melvin Gordon, Le’Veon Bell, and James Connor are all cheaper alternatives that I’d rather put my budget towards.

Dalvin Cook is a great running back option though I’d be wary of overpaying for him. There’s definitely other alternatives at the running back position but make sure you grab him if you need someone at that position. He’s a decent RB1 option but probably serves as a better RB2. I’ll predict a 1,000 rushing yard season for Cook who will also accumulate 7 TDs.