The New York Jets and Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook have agreed to part ways. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that it was a mutual decision in order to help Cook latch on with a playoff team as the NFL regular season comes to a conclusion.
Cook, 28, had fallen to third on the Jets’ depth chart recently. A four-time Pro Bowler during his time with the Minnesota Vikings, Cook had tallied just 214 yards on 67 attempts in 15 games with the Jets before being granted his release.
Despite these struggles, the veteran should still find a solid market as Week 18 approaches. Teams are in need of depth at running back. That’s for sure. Here, we look at four ideal landing spots for Cook.
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Dallas Cowboys add Dalvin Cook to the mix
In his first full season as RB1 in Big D, Pollard has not necessarily lived up to expectations. He’s tallied 935 rushing yards at a pedestrian 4.0 yards per rush. More recently, Pollard has struggled to do anything of substance. He’s put up less than 70 rushing yards in each of the past five games, averaging a mere 3.6 yards per tote during that span.
The Cowboys make sense as a landing spot for Cook in that they could use him as a third-down back due to the running back’s receiving ability (236 career receptions).
Kansas City Chiefs find depth for playoff push
Sophomore running back Isiah Pacheco has been pretty good this season, averaging 4.6 yards per rush. However, there has been a lack of depth behind him. Former first-round bust Clyde Edwards-Helaire is averaging 3.3 yards per rush. Veteran Jerick McKinnon is at a mere 2.9 yards per tote. Cook would be an obvious upgrade over both of them.
- Dalvin Cook career stats: 6,207 rushing yards, 4.6 yards per rush, 52 total TD
The Chiefs’ offense has struggled compared to previous seasons. It is averaging just 22.4 points per game and just 20 over the past five games. Cook would provide an immediate upgrade.
Green Bay Packers provide depth for Aaron Jones
Injury-plagued throughout the season, Aaron Jones has turned it around big time for the streaking Packers. He’s gained 247 rushing yards over the past two games. That bodes extremely well for quarterback Jordan Love and Co. as they look to earn a playoff spot with a win over the Chicago Bears in Week 18.
Adding someone like Cook to the mix makes sense in that A.J. Dillon (3.4 yards per rush) has struggled in picking it up behind Jones. The Packers could use a more dynamic playmaker heading into the NFL Playoffs.
Related: NFL Week 18 power rankings
Cleveland Browns bring in Dalvin Cook
The season-ending injury Nick Chubb suffered back in Week 2 has impacted the Browns’ rushing attack big time. Jerome Ford (807 yards) is the team’s leading rusher. Kareem Hunt is averaging just three yards per rush. It has led to Joe Flacco having to throw the ball around the field at an alarming clip since Deshaun Watson went down to injury.
Despite this, Cleveland is 11-5 on the season and heads into Week 18 locked into a playoff spot. Finding more balance on offense should be in the cards. And in reality, Cook is the best option out there.