Do you think Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook has what it takes to win the 2020 NFL MVP? Let’s examine his chances, the BetMGM NFL futures odds around it happening and whether or not Cook is worth an MVP bet.
Two things need to be addressed up front:
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When healthy, Cook is in the top-tier of starting running backs and is among the handful of backs you could argue deserves a sizable second contract.
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Cook has virtually no shot at winning the 2020 NFL MVP since only four running backs have won NFL MVP since the turn of the century.
As the old adage goes, crazier things have happened, so, let’s try to figure out a way Cook can be the first running back since 2012 to win NFL MVP.
Dalvin Cook’s 2020 NFL MVP odds
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, April 10 at 3 p.m. ET.
Part of my proof Cook (+5000) is in the upper echelon of running backs is that he has the fourth-best odds of all RBs to win the 2020 MVP award at BetMGM.
The other three—Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry—are tied at +3300. From a talent perspective, Cook takes a backseat to no running back in the NFL, but availability is the best ability in the NFL and health has been a concern for Cook since entering the league; he is yet to play a full 16-game regular season. This is the main reason why BetMGM’s price for Cook as 2020 NFL MVP is so juicy.
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Dalvin Cook’s stats
2019 was Cook’s most productive year because it was his healthiest. He set personal bests in rushing yards (1,135), rushing touchdowns (13) and yards from scrimmage (1,654). He was the Vikings’ most valuable skill position player and acted as QB Kirk Cousins‘ security blanket. Minnesota was 4-1 in games Cook ran for over 100 yards and he was the best player on the field in their NFC Wild Card upset of the New Orleans Saints, recording 130 scrimmage yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Again, Cook’s injury luck has plagued him in his first three seasons, as he is yet to play a full 16-game regular season. In his rookie campaign, Cook was leading the NFL in rushing yards before tearing his ACL in Week 4 and could’ve rushed for 1,000 yards in his second season if it wasn’t for a nagging hamstring issue that kept him out of five games. The Vikings lost both games Cook missed in 2019 and if he has any chance at winning MVP, he’ll need to play all 16 contests.
Is Dalvin Cook worth a 2020 NFL MVP bet?
As much as I love Cook and am rooting for a renaissance season for the running back position, I cannot in good faith recommend a bet here. The biggest thing to keep in mind is that only four running backs have won the NFL MVP since the turn of the century: Marshall Faulk in 2000, Shaun Alexander in 2005, LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006 and Adrian Peterson in 2012.
Their paths to victory? Faulk, Alexander and then Tomlinson each set the NFL single-season record for total touchdowns during their MVP campaigns, and Peterson ran for the second-most yards in a season (2,097) in the year he won MVP.
So the question is “Can Dalvin Cook put together a legendary season?” It’s possible, but you’re better off saving money and PASSING ON DALVIN COOK TO WIN 2020 NFL MVP.
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