Does Dalvin Cook make sense for the dolphins?
Dalvin Cook starts the New Year looking for a new team after being released by the New York Jets, and it’s difficult not to wonder if the homecoming this South Florida native campaigned for all offseason is on his to-do list.
But do the Miami Dolphins really need the former Pro Bowler, whose poor season with the Jets ended on Tuesday?
According to multiple reports, Cook restructured his contract to waive the remaining guarantees, which means that any team can sign the seven-year veteran, who gained 214 yards on 67 carries in 15 games, for the final regular season game and the playoffs if they advance.
The Dolphins did make Cook a contract offer in the summer before he signed with the Jets, so would they reconsider bringing in the former Florida State standout?
The Dolphins played without Raheem Mostert for the first time this season last Sunday because the team’s running leader, a talented player who has scored 21 touchdowns, didn’t gain medical clearance due to an ankle strain he received the week before.
De’Von Achane took over as Miami’s starting running back in Sunday’s 56-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, gaining 107 yards on 14 attempts.
Achane, the Dolphins’ third-round pick in 2023, also caught four catches for 30 yards and a touchdown while playing with a turf toe injury he’d been nursing for three weeks.
It’s difficult to rationalize acquiring a veteran like Cook at this juncture in the season unless Achane suffers a relapse and/or Miami decides to put Mostert down for the rest of the season, which may be a possibility if he’s nursing a high ankle injury.
Cook, after all, isn’t the same quality of talent he was in Minnesota during his prime years.
Cook was a letdown in New York
Cook’s time with the Jets was mainly forgettable.
After being released by the Vikings throughout the offseason, the 28-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Jets in August, and was seen as the icing on the cake of an offseason highlighted by the signing of Aaron Rodgers.
However, Rodgers’ reign as New York’s starter in 2023 lasted only four snaps as he tore his Achilles, therefore ruining the Jets’ season. The Jets faded in the closing weeks of the season and are out of playoff contention at 6-10.
Cook’s role was reduced as the season progressed because Breece Hall returned from a season-ending knee injury earlier than expected and re-established himself as the Jets’ lead back. Hall has 816 running yards and four rushing touchdowns on 186 attempts this season.
Cook attempted to move during the NFL trade deadline, but there were no takers, owing to his $7 million contract.
Cook played just five snaps (6% of offensive plays) in his final game with the Jets in Week 16 against the Washington Commanders. He was a healthy scratch in last week’s loss to the Cleveland Browns, which prompted the split on Tuesday.
The question now is, where is he going? And could the Dolphins, for whom the South Florida native grew up rooting, be involved?
Dolphins still have a lot of work to do
Miami is in the playoffs and may win the No. 2 seed as well as the AFC East division title if the Dolphins beat the Buffalo Bills at home on Sunday night.
But they’d have to stop a Bills attack led by James Cook, Dalvin’s younger brother, who has 1,086 rushing yards and six touchdowns this season.
With Jaylen Waddle likely out again this week, it would be ideal if Miami could rely on its rushing assault, which has gained 2,200 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry this season.
Behind Mostert, who has 1,019 rushing yards on 209 carries this season, the Dolphins have Achane, who has 936 rushing and receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, Jeff Wilson, a six-year veteran who has been used sparingly, and rookie Chris Brooks, who recently returned from injured reserve.
Bradley Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Ravens loss and will most certainly be placed on injured reserve, therefore the Dolphins will have a roster slot open. Instead of claiming Cook, who was paid $341,176 per game, it’s more likely that Chubb’s roster place will go to Melvin Ingram, a seasoned pass rusher on the practice squad.
