Image courtesy of Vikings.com
The Minnesota Vikings selected former Florida State running back Dalvin Cook with their second-round pick (41) in the 2017 NFL Draft. The move came after a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals that saw the Vikings move from 48 to 41 while giving up a fourth-round (128) pick.
Cook was ranked 14th on Vikings Territory’s consensus big board and the best player available at the time of his drafting. Despite adding Latavius Murray this offseason, the Vikings were in need of a long-term Adrian Peterson replacement. Cook appears to be that player after putting together a prolific career for the Seminoles.
CBS Sports compared the do-it-all back to Marshall Faulk, arguably the greatest multi-purpose running back in NFL history. While at Florida State, he rushed 687 times for 4,464 yards, scoring 46 touchdowns while adding nearly 1,000 receiving yards to his resumé. Last season, he rushed for a 1,765 yards and earned All-ACC honors in both starting seasons (2015 and 2016).
Although Cook was Dane Brugler’s top-rated running back, his off-field concerns knocked him down draft boards. His past run-ins with the law include robbery (2009), firing and possessing a weapon on school property (2010), and misdemeanor battery outside of a bar (2015).
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Context: Vikes gave up a 4th to Cincinnati to trade Mixon for Cook. Several other backs picked later will be comparable. The Viking trade up needed was for Lamp. No lineman left near as good as Lamp. A stud at a position the Vikes have no current starter at. Offensive line ineptness and lack of talent crashed lat years playoff team. Only hope for picking later was multiple picks at avg late rounders and hope. Loosing the 4th on a RB swap minstead of Lamp eliminates even that innefective strategy.
Totally agree. But we have no way of knowing if they did try to trade up to get him. I was surprised that he got past by both GB and Seattle. Only left a handful of teams left to barter with after those two passed on him. Can only hope that Cook is another DJ.
I really like this pick. Cook looks awesome. Murray, cook and McKinnon. We will have an awesome trio. We also took a good center hopefully can play guard too. I am very disappointed that we traded all the way out of the third with our second. The first trade down was ok but trade again for a seventh just sounds dumb. But oh well. I guess. As far as oline in this draft at this point sounds pointless weak draft and spielman cant draft oline. So lets bulk up our D and grab another wr and qb