Running back Dalvin Cook has thrived for Minnesota when on the field, but an analyst at NFL.com thinks that’s not a given in 2020.
Grant Gordon, who works for NFL.com, recently wrote a piece discussing Cook’s potential contribution in 2020 to the Vikings offense, now led by offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak.
Gordon said that even if Cook gets his way with a new deal, “it might not be the best step forward in terms of productivity — at least as it relates to current NFL trends.” Here’s what else he said:
“Per NFL Research, nine of the NFL’s top-10 rushers in 2019 were on their rookie contracts — including Cook. The one exception was the Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott, Carlos Hyde and Mark Ingram were the only 1,000-yard rushers — out of 16 total — last season who weren’t on their rookie contracts.”
Gordon did discuss how Kubiak has had a 1,000-yard rusher in 15 of his 22 seasons as offensive coordinator or head coach, but he went on to say Cook’s contract woes bode well for running back Alexander Mattison, who had 462 rushes in 2019.