Broncos Again Floated as Potential Destination for Dalvin Cook
Just when the masses thought the Denver Broncos were out on Dalvin Cook, a bona fide NFL insider pulls them back in.
Appearing on Tuesday's edition of the Rich Eisen Show, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero mentioned the Broncos as a possible suitor for the free-agent running back. Pelissero also named the Dolphins, Jets, and Patriots among would-be Cook destinations — if not frontrunners.
"You still got the Broncos," he said, before hedging. "Do they have the money for what Dalvin Cook is going to command on the market? It's hard to imagine. They've invested in that position and elsewhere, and they really pushed to make some other things happen in terms of solidifying that offensive line."
Pelissero went on to report that Cook has "multiple offers" on the table and is likely to ink a "lucrative" contract closer to training camp in late July.
A four-time Pro Bowler with nearly 6,000 career rushing yards, including four consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns, Cook has steadily been linked to Denver following his release from the Vikings earlier this month. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on June 8 that the Broncos — led by former Minnesota general manager George Paton — "have an interest in" and have been "monitoring" Cook for "weeks."
However, as Pelissero noted, the Broncos have only $8.805 million in available cap space and Cook is purportedly seeking at least $10 million per year on his next deal. After picking up RB2 Samaje Perine and with the return of starter Javonte Williams, he'd be a luxury (rather than necessity) that the club cannot currently afford.
For what it's worth, another league insider, ESPN's Jeff Darlington, believes the Florida native will land with his hometown team when all is said and done.
"The man is from Miami. He was born in Opa-Locka, went to high school at Miami Central, went to Florida State for college ... he's coming to the Dolphins," Darlington predicted Tuesday. "I don't know if the Dolphins realize it yet. I don't know if Dalvin Cook realizes it yet. But he's going to wind up with the Miami Dolphins."
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