Rumored as a Dalvin Cook suitor, the Ravens will indeed bring the former Pro Bowler into the fold. Cook is committing to Baltimore, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter.
Cook commanded considerable interest this offseason, but he struggled with the Jets. The Ravens, however, have lost two key backs for the season. J.K. Dobbins went down in Week 1, while explosive rookie Keaton Mitchell suffered an ACL tear last month. Unclaimed on the waiver wire, Cook will move into position alongside Gus Edwards and Justice Hill. This will be a practice squad agreement to start, ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley tweets.
Baltimore has managed to build a strong offense despite key losses. Dobbins has not been available for nearly four months, while Mitchell only played in eight games. The Ravens have also been without Mark Andrews since mid-November. But the 13-3 team has done its best work without this trio, beating the 49ers and Dolphins convincingly over the past two games. Cook will, however, provide intriguing depth. This season’s issues notwithstanding, the former Vikings star does have a long track record of success.
Cook, 28, spent more than two months in free agency following his Vikings release. Countless rumors emerged connecting him to teams, mostly in the AFC East. The Jets beat out the Dolphins for the talented ball carrier, but he did not make much of an impact. Breece Hall was ready to go in Week 1, and the 2022 second-round pick put any timeshare thoughts to bed early. Cook has amassed just 214 yards on 67 carries this season, becoming an afterthought during another disappointing Jets season.
The 67 carries did not exactly add much to Cook’s odometer, and he only took double-digit handoffs in one game (Week 1) this season. That said, his career carry total is over 1,300 now. Cook’s 1,349 career totes rank sixth among active backs. Baltimore now employs two players in that top six, with Melvin Gordon at 1,586. Gordon has not played much of a role with the team this season, totaling 63 yards on 19 carries in three games. Cook may soon leapfrog the ninth-year veteran as well. He will have more than two weeks until Baltimore’s divisional-round game to cram in Todd Monken‘s offense.
Gordon has spent time on Baltimore’s practice squad this season but currently resides on the team’s active roster. Jake Funk and Owen Wright represent the running back contingent on the Ravens’ P-squad. It would seem one of the three non-Edwards-Hill runners would need to go to make room for Cook.
The Jets have seen offensive line injuries impact their offense, and the Aaron Rodgers setback obviously defined Gang Green’s season. Cook has still flashed underwhelming form, especially considering how productive he was in Minnesota. Coming into the season, Cook was the NFL’s only back to total at least 1,100 rushing yards each year from 2019-22. He posted 1,173 yards (4.4 per tote) and eight touchdowns with the Vikings last season, doing so despite a nagging shoulder injury. Cook underwent offseason surgery, though his Twin Cities form has yet to resurface. Last season, Cook also rated in the bottom third in Next Gen Stats’ rushing yards over expected metric.
Unloading Mecole Hardman at the deadline, New York also attempted to trade Cook. The four-time Pro Bowler pursued an exit as well, though he stood down after the deadline. The latter’s $7MM base salary made that difficult, and he continued to languish on the bench as the Jets trudged through another season defined by Zach Wilson‘s failure to develop. The Cowboys explored a potential Cook addition, and the Ravens took a chance on no team claiming Cook’s salary (which amounted to a final game check) on waivers. No one did, and the team that clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed landed him.
Cook played a key role in helping the 2019 Vikings to the divisional round and elevating the ’22 squad to an unexpected NFC North title. The Ravens are highly unlikely to be eyeing Cook as a starter, but the team will explore him as a complementary piece as it attempts to book its first Super Bowl berth in 11 years.
Not a lot of mileage this year. If he looks anything like the cool of old, who beats baltimore?
Bills Chiefs Browns.. honestly any body that can play gap dedicated defense. The only reason Balt beat either Dolphins or Niners is the crazy amount of turnovers. Lamar isn’t anything special. MVP..? lol or a narrative that the NFL want to push? Compare his stats to Josh Allen? That defense is the only reason Balt is the one seed. Nothing against Balt, but let’s be honest about this team. Balt beat Sf.. lol so did Browns and Cincy. Balt beat Miami..! .. lol Buffalo did as well. So did KC and Philly.
We could also compare Lamar’s stats to the former Charger Philip Rivers or Cowboys Tony Romo. Both yearly regular season fantasy stat QB’s
But Lamar now has several “competent” WR’s and TE’s (not named Mark Andrew’s) finally. Let’s see how far Lamar gets in the playoffs, that should be his true indicator.
He really only has Flowers. Likely has looked good, but that is just as much Lamar making him look good and hitting him in wide open field.
Odell Beckham was on his way to being the Super Bowl MVP the last time he was in the playoffs. If not for the injury during the big game he would have been the guy. I think Lamar and Odell are going to light the world on fire this post season.
While that is true, he’s 2 years removed of that game. And has only had 1 game of 100+ yards since October of of 2019… I wouldn’t be betting on Odell to break out this post season. But I’d like to see it.
And while pointing out Romo & Rivers, you can lump Dan Marino in that group. 8-10, 0 SB’s, Lower QBR & Comp %.
So the crazy amount of turnovers has nothing to do with the Ravens defense right just the Niners and dolphins offense? You seem to be forgetting the Ravens beat SF by 2 scores not a last second field goal. Lamar will be the MVP. Simple as that. 2X actually. You can keep denying him, he will keep contributing.
From the bottom to the top.
Hearing a lot of people say he’s washed up. With the Jets’ horrific offensive line and their inability to get Cook in a rhythm, my guess is he still has something in the tank.
Yeah, that’s hilarious. The guy tore up yardage last season and goes to the Jets and is suddenly “washed up”
Agree. Another weapon for the Ravens.
Maybe things will starting cooking in Baltimore.
That’s right. I said it.
The whole “this RB is old” mantra is a self fulfilling prophecy. Most require consistent touches to be good, so when you use them less, they aren’t as good. A team like BAL can at least better manage his touches and put him behind a better OL.
I called it man! I’ve been on fire with these lately. Imagine going from a dead season with Zach Babyface Wilson as your QB to a Super Bowl contender led by all star Lamar Jackson. Insane year
Don’t throw your shoulder out patting yourself on the back
Sick burn brother. Sick. Burn
I didn’t understand the viking moving on from him in the off-season, especially after 4 consecutive seasons of 1,100 rush yards. Though the amount of carries (1,075) he had probably lead Minnesota to think he would be shot. With that, the jets offense presents minimal opportunity to any offensive player. I think he has enough in the tank for a few more years in the right role. The role with Baltimore should suit him well.
Doesn’t he fumble a lot?
Cook just wanted to wear the color purple again.