The Baltimore Ravens added running back Dalvin Cook to their main roster Wednesday ahead of the AFC Divisional Round this weekend. The team will waive running back Melvin Gordon to make room for Cook.

This exchange of veteran running backs on the roster will not significantly impact the Ravens, the first-seeded team in the AFC heavily favored to beat the Houston Texans this weekend. But the team has been eager to add Cook to the main roster for some time after acquiring him near the end of the regular season.

“We view him as a potentially very valuable weapon on our offense,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters last week. “Dalvin Cook is a high pedigree, highly decorated player. He’s still got talent and ability, he’s smart, he’s in great shape. He’s in football shape, he looked very good in practice.”

Baltimore chose to keep Cook on the practice squad for the final game of the regular season, at which point the Ravens had already made the playoffs. The team then had a bye in the Wild Card round, making this weekend the first time that Cook can contribute to the team in a meaningful way.

Cook last played for the New York Jets in Week 15 of the regular season, where he finished a disappointing stint with a single four-yard carry.  The seven-year veteran mostly played behind Jets star Breece Hall and struggled in 2023, rushing for 214 yards on 67 carries.

In Baltimore, Cook will likely play a similar role as the team’s change-of-pace back behind the likes of Gus Edwards and Justice Hill. But the running back told reporters last week that he was eager to play for the Ravens in any capacity.

“You see the guys up front moving people,” Cook said. “For me, it’s always been electric getting behind a line like that. When the opportunity opened, I was ready to go.”

The Ravens are currently the second betting choice to win their year’s Super Bowl, trailing just the 49ers in the NFC. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is expected to drive Baltimore’s offensive production, but Cook will join an army of running backs at the team’s disposal.

The latest offer the Miami Dolphins put on the table for Dalvin Cook is not one the current free agent running back will accept, likely due to not reaching his financial demands, despite his interest in coming back to play for his home state Florida.

With the whole running back market looking for money, even with the big names currently, Cook will have to wait till the right deal comes. He also “doesn’t see an urgency to sign with a team right now” and has fielded interest from nearly “the entire AFC East division,” according to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington.

The former Minnesota superstar and four-time Pro Bowler was released from the team last month, but it isn’t like a player like him wouldn’t boost a team’s offense or is someone that lacks production. Actually, there are plenty of suitors who need an upgrade at the running back position, but Cook is also reportedly looking for “additional leverage in his contract negotiations.”

This would involve him waiting till after July 17 to sign, as this is the deadline for teams to sign long-term deals with their franchise-tagged players. Key players include running backs Tony Pollard of the Dallas Cowboys, Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders, and Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants. Whether either or all of them are re-signed, traded, or even decide to sit out will help reset the running back market that has tanked recently and it could lead to those teams having openings.

Other backs on the market that are notable names, include Ezekiel Elliott, Kareem Hunt, Leonard Fournette and James Robinson. There hasn’t been any movement for this group since the main portion of free agency back in March, where Miles Sanders, David Montgomery and Jamaal Williams were the biggest names who signed to new teams. Cook, production-wise, is a tier above all the names listed.

Teams believe Cook has the Dolphins atop his wish list, as recently the former Vikings running back called the Dolphins’ outside-zone running scheme a “perfect fit” for his skill set. He also hinted that he wouldn’t mind going to the Jets, sharing reports of New York “doing their homework” on a potential move in the near future to pair him with former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who they acquired via trade this offseason.

Breece Hall is coming back from an ACL injury but is projected to come back for the first week of the new season. But adding another talented back to a group wouldn’t hurt to give a revamped Jets offense even more weapons, despite having a running back group with Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight, and rookie Israel Abanikanda.

For Miami, Cook would fit right into a running group that is missing a true star. Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. are back on the team, but both have had trouble staying healthy and even with the addition of De’Von Achane in the draft, the Dolphins could use another veteran rusher.

Buffalo adding James Cook‘s brother also makes sense, as they let their starter last year, Devin Singletary walk to sign with the Houston Texans in free agency. Projected to be the lead back next to free agent signing Damian Harris, the Bills runner Cook has already hinted he’d “embrace the opportunity” to play with his older brother.

But for all three AFC East teams, is it worth paying a running back big-time money considering the guys they already have? It is clear Cook wants to play for a contender, but won’t settle for a lowball offer and is willing to wait for the right deal to come in for his services. So far, the Jets, Bills and Dolphins have also shown patience, not budging or rushing in offering Cook the money he is seeking.

The 27-year-old still has enough gas in the tank, as Cook has four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons on the ground, so the move to cut him was mostly financial and age-related. The Vikings, who drafted him in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, replaced him by re-signing Alexander Mattison, his backup last year. Minnesota tried to ship him off prior to his release, but there were no teams interested in him under the extension he signed with the Vikings back in 2020.

However, there is a new favorite to sign Cook, and it’s another AFC East team, the New England Patriots.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Pats are “at least intrigued” by the possibility of adding Cook after cutting free agent running back Robinson last month to pair with Rhamondre Stevenson. The offense will need to improve for 2023, as head coach Bill Belichick reunited with offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien earlier this offseason. They don’t want a repeat their performance last season.

With an “urgency to improve that offense,” the Pats were in the running for signing former big-name free agent receiver DeAndre Hopkins. But with the star pass catcher going to Tennessee with the Titans, reported July 16, it changed today’s odds of where Cook will end up. His landing destinations shifted from Miami to New England for the favorite, as they have the cap space to do so and could be willing to make a splash to make an addition like Cook.

Adam Schefter on ESPN’s Get Up Today on July 17, said this about the Pats potentially making a move for the star running back.

While this doesn’t mean a move will be made for him any time soon, the Pats or Dolphins or another team swooping in late to add Cook would make any offense more dynamic, even if it is expensive.

Dalvin Cook led the Minnesota Vikings to a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 36-28 victory on Thursday night.

The Vikings have struggled to stay healthy this season. They took the field without their star wide receiver, Adam Thielen, and even Cook was questionable heading into the game.

Just 11 days ago, Cook suffered a dislocated shoulder in a game against the San Francisco 49ers and he was held out of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. He was expected to be out for the next two games, but returned early – and in impressive fashion. Coming off the injury, Cook put up 205 yards and two touchdowns, but he was quick to give credit to his teammates for his big night.

“The holes were big all night,” Cook said. “So you’ve gotta give those guys credit upfront. They’re my guys. They did a great job of blocking for me tonight. Receivers, tight ends, everybody did a great job of blocking for me tonight. I’m just hitting holes and trying to find some space out there.”

Head coach Mike Zimmer spoke to Cook’s competitive nature and mindset before the game.

“I think he’s a warrior,” Zimmer said. “He comes out and competes. He’s a great leader. He’s a great competitor. He wants to play. Eric Sugarman, our trainer, texted him today and said, ‘Hey, are you sure you’re OK and good to go?’ He said, ‘I have no regrets, I’m good to go.’ He said, ‘That’s why I do this, I want to play.’ That’s the kind of guy he is. There was no doubt in his mind he was playing tonight.”

Despite missing three games, Cook is the league’s second-leading rusher with 978 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s averaging 97.8 yards per game. Cook is posed for another good showing next week as the Vikings take on the Chicago Bears, whose run defense comes in at 23 this season.

The Minnesota Vikings are investigating after star-running back Dalvin Cook was sued by a woman who alleges Cook abused her in a past relationship.

Cook allegedly attacked a former girlfriend, causing a concussion, during an altercation at his home last year, a lawsuit filed Tuesday claimed. Cook’s attorney, Dave Valentini, said his client was assaulted by the woman after she broke into his residence, saying in a statement Tuesday night that she later tried to extort him of millions of dollars.

The woman identified herself as Gracelyn Trimble, a sergeant in the U.S. Army. According to the lawsuit, she flew to Minnesota to break up with Cook and get her belongings from his home when things allegedly turned violent.

She accused Cook of giving her “a concussion, leaving a scar on my face and taking me through hell.” According to the suit, she used mace on him before going into his bedroom, grabbing his gun and calling a friend for help, leading the running back to attack her with a broomstick, she alleges. When she returned to Florida after the altercation, she told medical personnel she had been in an ATV accident after seeking treatment for the injuries.

The Vikings released a statement saying they “recently received notification from Dalvin Cook’s legal representative regarding a situation that occurred between Dalvin and a female acquaintance in November 2020 and led to an ongoing dispute between the parties. Upon learning of this, we immediately notified the NFL. We are in the process of gathering more information and will withhold further comment at this time.”

Valentini, however, said in his statement Tuesday that the woman allegedly used a stolen garage door opener to enter his home illegally and then attacked him and a guest there, using mace on him upon entering and forcing Cook and his guests to remain at the residence at gunpoint for hours.

No criminal charges were filed, and police were not contacted at the time of the altercation.

Last season, the Minnesota Vikings were very close to clinching a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. However, it all went wrong during a three-game losing streak that broke the hearts of fans. It was the first time since 2014 that the Vikings missed the playoffs and just the second time under head coach Mike Zimmer.

Despite a heartbreaking season, Minnesota has reasons to be optimistic about the 2021 season, especially after wide receiver Justin Jefferson broke the NFL rookie record for receiving yards with 1,400 and was named to the Pro Bowl.

The Vikings also have one of the most talented duos in the backfield in Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison. Cook finished second in rushing yards (1,557) and in total touchdowns (17) at the running back position. While the offense will run through Cook, the Vikings also have a solid aerial attack with Jefferson and veteran wideout Adam Thielen.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins is still performing at a high enough level to potentially lead this talented team to the postseason.

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Minnesota Vikings Schedule:

• Week 1: Sun 09/12 at Cincinnati Bengals
• Week 2: Sun 09/19 at Arizona Cardinals
• Week 3: Sun 09/26 vs Seattle Seahawks
• Week 4: Sun 10/03 vs Cleveland Browns
• Week 5: Sun 10/10 vs Detroit Lions
• Week 6: Sun 10/17 at Carolina Panthers
• Week 7: Sun 10/24 BYE Week
• Week 8: Sun 10/31 vs Dallas Cowboys
• Week 9: Sun 11/07 at Baltimore Ravens
• Week 10: Sun 11/14 at Los Angeles Chargers
• Week 11: Sun 11/21 vs Green Bay Packers
• Week 12: Sun 11/28 at San Francisco 49ers
• Week 13: Sun 12/05 at Detroit Lions
• Week 14: Thu 12/09 vs Pittsburgh Steelers 
• Week 15: Mon 12/20 at Chicago Bears 
• Week 16: Sun 12/26 vs Los Angeles Rams
• Week 17: Sun 1/02 at Green Bay Packers
• Week 18: Sun 01/09 vs Chicago Bears

NFC North: The Vikings have to get through the Packers if they want to win the division. Not only that, but they have to watch out for the Bears, who are on the rise. The Vikings should get two easy wins against the atrocious Lions, but the team’s remaining four games in the division will be tough. If Minnesota can beat Chicago in both meetings, they have a good shot at securing a Wild Card spot.

Matchups: Minnesota has a tough stretch beginning after their Week 7 bye. From Week 8 to Week 11, the Vikings will have to take on the Cowboys, Ravens and Packers. However, things get even tougher towards the end of the season. From Week 14 to Week 18,  Minnesota will only face teams that made the playoffs last year. Over that five-week stretch, the Vikings will suit up against the Steelers, Rams and Packers, as well as the Bears twice. If the Vikings have any shot at the division title, they will need to sweep the Bears and defeat the Packers at least once. If they do all that, they could very well steal the division crown from Green Bay.

Prediction: The Vikings will finish second in the NFC North with a 10-7 record, which will be good enough to clinch a Wild Card spot in the playoffs.

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Heading into the 2021 NFL season, we have ranked the top players at each position, despite the fact that it is probably way too early to participate in a draft. Still, in examining the top players heading into next year, the top running backs may not be the names you are expecting. Let’s take a look at the top ten running backs that should go off the board of your fantasy football draft. Click on each player to view his individual writeup in the slideshow or click on the link at the bottom of this article to view the entire slideshow from the beginning.

1. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
2. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
3. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
4. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
5. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
6. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
7. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
8. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
9. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
10. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

Click HERE to view the full the slideshow!

Best of the Rest

• 11. James Robinson, JAC / Age: 23 / FA: 2023
• 12. Joe Mixon, CIN / Age: 25 / FA: 2025
• 13. Josh Jacobs, LV / Age: 23 / FA: 2024
• 14. Miles Sanders, PHI / Age: 24 / FA: 2023
• 15. D’Andre Swift, DET / Age: 22 / FA: 2024
• 16. J.K. Dobbins, BAL / Age: 22 / FA: 2024
• 17. Cam Akers, LAR / Age: 22 / FA: 2024
• 18. David Montgomery, CHI / Age: 24 / FA: 2023
• 19. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC / Age: 22 / FA: 2025
• 20. Antonio Gibson, WAS / Age: 23 / FA: 2024
• 21. Chris Carson, SEA / Age: 26 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 22. Kareem Hunt, CLE / Age: 26 / FA: 2023
• 23. Myles Gaskin, MIA / Age: 24 / FA: 2023
• 24. Kenyan Drake, ARI / Age: 27 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 25. Melvin Gordon, DEN / Age: 28 / FA: 2022
• 26. Raheem Mostert, SF / Age: 29 / FA: 2022
• 27. James Conner, PIT / Age: 26 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 28. Leonard Fournette, TB / Age: 26 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 29. Ronald Jones, TB / Age: 24 / FA: 2022
• 30. David Johnson, HOU / Age: 29 / FA: 2022
• 31. Chase Edmonds, ARI / Age: 25 / FA: 2022
• 32. Devin Singletary, BUF / Age: 24 / FA: 2023
• 33. Damien Harris, NE / Age: 24 / FA: 2023
• 34. Nyheim Hines, IND / Age: 24 / FA: 2022
• 35. J.D. McKissic, WAS / Age: 28 / FA: 2022
• 36. Tarik Cohen, CHI / Age: 26 / FA: 2024
• 37. Zack Moss, BUF / Age: 23 / FA: 2024
• 38. A.J. Dillon, GB / Age: 23 / FA: 2024
• 39. Jeff Wilson Jr., SF / Age: 25 / FA: 2022
• 40. Tony Pollard, DAL / Age: 24 / FA: 2023

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry has been nominated for FedEx Ground Player of the Year after concluding a historic 2,000-yard season with the Titans. Henry is one of three nominees. The other two are Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook and Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints.

Hailing from the University of Alabama, Henry became the eighth player in NFL history to break the 2,000-yard mark in 2020. Additionally, he ended the season with a league-best 2,027 yards, which is the fifth most in a single season in NFL history.

Not only that, Henry is the first player since LaDainian Tomlinson to win back-to-back rushing titles since 2006. He was also ranked best among running backs in touchdown and attempts.

While Cook and Kamara also had great 2020 seasons, Henry had a legendary showing which helps his chances at receiving this honor. Henry won the award following the 2019 season after he totaled 1,540 yards and 16 scores and is looking to win the award in back-to-back seasons.

This is not the only award Henry has been up for; the stud running back was voted as the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) Offensive Player of the Year and a First-Team All-Pro. Currently, Henry has a display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio honoring his legendary 2020 season.

Fans can vote for who they believe deserves to be the FedEx Ground Player of the Year along with FedEx Air Player of the Year on the NFL’s website. The hardware will be given out on February 6 during the NFL Honor’s show. Henry is in the conversation for Most Valuable Player, and could be one of the favorites for Offensive Player of the Year as well.

It is never too early to start looking at next year’s fantasy football draft. 2021 will be the year of the running back, as I anticipate the first six picks in nearly all formats to be running backs.

1. RB Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

Although McCaffrey didn’t play in many games over the last couple of seasons, there is no denying his electrifying talent. If I were drafting first in 2021, I wouldn’t hesitate to select the best dual-threat running back in the league. In just three games this season, CMC averaged a ridiculous 30 fantasy points per game. If he had kept that up for the entire season, he would have been the top player in all of fantasy football.

2. RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

If you owned Kamara this past season, he likely led you to a dominant performance and a fantasy football championship. Although Kamara failed to rush for 1,000 yards, he did amass for 21 rushing and receiving touchdowns, good for first in the NFL. Six of those touchdowns came in championship week when Kamara broke out for 155 rushing yards and a whopping 53.2 fantasy points.

Although the potential departure of Drew Brees will hurt Kamara’s value, particularly in PPR leagues, he is still one of the best dual threat backs in the NFL and will be a top-two pick in all formats. Look for him to catch plenty of passes and finish second among running backs in receptions, behind the one and only McCaffrey.

3. RB Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

Barkley has missed lots of time in each of his past two seasons. Fantasy managers who drafted Barkley this past season got minimal production from him before he tore his ACL in Week 2. That being said, the early reports about his rehab have been nothing but positive and the timing of the injury suggests that he will be ready for Week 1 even though he didn’t undergo surgery until late-October.

As a rookie in 2018, Barkley led the NFL with 2,028 yards from scrimmage, hauled in 91 receptions (second among running backs), scored 15 combined touchdowns, and finished second in fantasy points scored in a full season and on a per-game basis.

Barkley shouldn’t have any issues in 2021 as the Giants’ offensive attack will again be centered around the young and flashy back. Not to mention, it won’t hurt that Daniel Jones will have another year of experience under his belt.

4. RB Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings

Cook finished as the second-best running back in fantasy football last season after producing 1,557 yards on 312 carries, 16 rushing touchdowns, 44 receptions for 361 receiving yards and an additional touchdown through the air. The former Florida State bruiser took a huge leap this season and as long as he can remain healthy in the future, he is a sure-fire RB1 in all fantasy formats.

The Vikings’ offense is extremely run-heavy, especially after the departure of Stefon Diggs. Although Minnesota still likes to give Kirk Cousins a chance to haul it down field to Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, Cook will continue to see 20-plus touches per game. If he remains healthy, something he struggled to do in college, don’t be surprised if he sneaks atop the leaderboard.

5. RB Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

Zeke did not look like himself as soon as Dak Prescott went down with a season-ending leg injury. If Prescott does not return to the Cowboys, Elliott will likely slip out of the first round and into the second. However, if Prescott does indeed return as Dallas’ signal caller – and i do believe that he will, Elliott will not be available after the first six picks of the draft.

6. RB Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

Henry never ceases to amaze me. Yet again, the former Alabama running back bulldozed his way to over 2,000 rushing yards this past season, along with 17 rushing touchdowns. Henry’s one weakness is his ability to make plays in the passing game. Despite playing 16 games this past season, the All-Pro back caught just 19 passes for 114 yards. If Henry and Ryan Tanehill develop some chemistry on short and intermediate routes, Henry could move into the top three players in all of fantasy football.

7. WR Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers

It’s about time we get to the first wide receiver on this list. Adams missed a few games this season, yet still finished as the No. 1 WR in fantasy football. Aaron Rodgers’ favorite weapon finished the 2020 season with 115 receptions, 1,374 yards and 18 touchdowns. Adams averaged a mind blowing 25-plus fantasy points per game.

Although we should expect to see touchdown regression, the Packers lack solid pass catchers outside of Adams. Even when opposing defenses knew that Rodgers was going Adams’ way, cornerbacks and safeties simply had no way of stopping the electrifying plays that these two guys made, day in and day out. Expect more of the same in 2021, however, I do think Adams struggles to find the end zone quite as much as he did this past year, despite the fact that he seems to be impossible to stop in the red zone.

8. TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

Although Kelce is listed as a tight end, for fantasy purposes, he is just as good as the best receivers in the game. With Patrick Mahomes under center in that Chiefs’ aerial offensive attack, someone is going to get open on each and every play. It is simply impossible to stop a team with so many dynamic weapons, particularly when they have a quarterback as talented as Mahomes.

Although Darren Waller finished the season with two more receptions than Kelce, Kelce averaged 20.9 fantasy points per game compared to Waller’s 17.4. Along with his 105 catches, Kelce finished with 1,416 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

Drafting Kelce in the late first round makes a ton of sense given the positional scarcity at tight end. There are only a handful of good tight ends in fantasy football, and none of them come close to Kelce’s level.

9. WR Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

This one is a bit of a risk considering Thomas will need to develop a rapport with either Taysom Hill or Jameis Winston in the wake of Brees’ retirement. Fantasy owners were likely burned by Thomas this season, who did not score his first touchdown until the Saints’ Wild Card victory over the Chicago Bears.

Thomas is undergoing some offseason surgery and will be good to go by OTA’s next season. Forget about this past season and take a chance on the stud wideout next season. It won’t get any worse than it was this season.

10. WR Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs

Hill is one of the most fun players to watch in the NFL. Not only is he part of that electrifying offense in Kansas City, but he is also one of the fastest players in the league. There is a reason that his Twitter handle is @cheetah.

Last season, Hill finished as the second-best wide receiver in PPR fantasy leagues. Although he only accumulated 87 receptions, he made up for that by going for 1,399 combined receiving and rushing yards, plus 17 touchdowns.

In 2021, expect Hill to continue to get open with ease as opposing defenses are forced to respect Mahomes’ ability to toss it short to Kelce. Hill will build off this successful campaign and should be drafted at the end of the first round.

Stay tuned for more fantasy football content here at Usports.org.

Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Dalvin Cook sustained a knee injury in Sunday’s 14-7 defeat to the Detroit Lions.

Dalvin Cook injury news

The initial diagnosis for Cook’s injury was a nearly complete ACL tear, and he will thus undergo an MRI on Monday.

Cook — a second-round draft pick out of Florida State — fell to the turf following a non-contact injury early in the third quarter. On that same play, Cook lost the ball for a fumble.

Cook left the locker room on crutches with his knee in a brace, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The rookie ran for 66 yards and a touchdown on Sunday.

The Vikings don’t currently have anyone on their roster to replace the newbie, who led the team in rushing with 354 yards on the ground at 4.8 yards per carry, as well as 90 passing yards off 11 catches. The team will now have to rely on fourth-year rusher Jerick McKinnon. 

Cook fought hamstring issues in 2015 and underwent shoulder surgery in 2016.

Minnesota (2-2, 3rd in NFC North) next visits the Chicago Bears on Oct. 9. The Lions (3-1, 1st in NFC North) next host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 1: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a rushing touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)