With the New England Patriots missing out on DeAndre Hopkins, there is some buzz shifting to the next best available free agent, running back Dalvin Cook.
Hypothetically, the Patriots earmarked a contract for Hopkins and could shave some off the top to give Cook a contract that entices him to be in a paring with Rhamondre Stevenson.
After all, the running back market is heavily volatile right now, and the Patriots could swoop in and “overpay”. I’m obviously using that term loosely considering the Patriots under Bill Belichick have never been an organization to really care about market value.
They have their own valuation, and the down market may be the perfect time to pounce on adding an elite back to an offense devoid of superstars. On Thursday, it was revealed that Cook is visiting the New York Jets, and he is also in talks to visit with the Patriots as well.
While Dalvin Cook prepares for a visit with the #Jets this week, he’s also in talks with the #Patriots about setting up a possible visit to New England, per source. Both teams have shown steady interest in the four-time Pro Bowler.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 27, 2023
The question has been asked many times: Why sign Cook if the Patriots already have a workhorse back?
Well, two running backs have worked in the past, most recently with the Cleveland Browns utilizing Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in packages that suit their skills. It is no question that Stevenson would still be the featured early-down back, but Cook could swap drives to keep things fresh.
The Patriots could make Cook the third-down back, as well as the red zone back on passing downs. Stylistically, they could also use a two running back backfield, motioning one out wide to take advantage of matchups.
What does this mean for Stevenson? Well, this would only help his production as a pure runner and the offense as a whole. Even if he has the ability to be a workhorse back, the Patriots clearly sent a message this offseason that they would like to explore ways of keeping the tread light on him.
They were rumored to be in on Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 14 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft. But he went two picks earlier than expected, and they traded back.
They signed James Robinson, but he had issues getting on the field enough for the Patriots to release him. Now, Patriots director of player personnel, Matt Groh, has confirmed the team’s interest in Dalvin Cook.
Matt Groh on Dalvin Cook: “You don’t see guys of this talent available at this time of the year. … it’s a unique situation.” Groh said they’re exploring all options at this time of year. pic.twitter.com/BhyUKHczcx
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) July 26, 2023
After the training camp opener on Wednesday, Groh also stated that the salary cap can be maneuvered in many ways, almost signifying that the Patriots could have worked Hopkins in. But instead, they chose to go in the route of incentives.
If that is the case, the Patriots can still offer an incentive-based deal to reach a high-level running back contract but guarantee enough money that they come over the current rate at the position.
Asked about Hopkins, Matt Groh said they spent time working on it. Noted that if you look at the salary cap right now, anybody can make anything work (imagine that). But obviously the Pats didn’t go that route and that part wasn’t explained by Groh. pic.twitter.com/Nt5MwJAetI
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) July 26, 2023
An example contract could be a three-year, $30 million deal with $20 million guaranteed and the rest tied to incentives with void years to soften the blow. Cook gets real money in a down market, and the Patriots add a talented player on an incentivized contract, which is clearly something they love to do.
With the Patriots still looking for offensive help, the last real available weapon is on the market, and he could come cheaper than expected. It’s at a position they have yet to really fill after seemingly making it a priority in the offseason.
Cook is worth the money, and the Patriots should use some of the money they allocated for DeAndre Hopkins and outbid other suitors to make things right in the world.
A two-headed monster of Stevenson and Cook might not bode well for fantasy football owners of either player, but it would certainly make the Patriots a heck of a lot better in the end.
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