Dalvin Sweepstakes Opens: Cook Clears Waivers; Could Cowboys Sign Pro Bowl Running Back?

A Cook could come up with the perfect Super Bowl recipe for the Dallas Cowboys. … but now it might cost somebody.

The NFL's free agency fold has an interesting new wrinkle after Tuesday, which saw the New York Jets mutually part ways with Dalvin Cook. Formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, Cook was one of several high-profile acquisitions the Jets made this season to complement Aaron Rodgers under center but struggled to regain the rushing spark that propelled him to four Pro Bowls.

On Wednesday, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy openly discussed the possibility of Dallas pursuing Cook, saying the organization was "visiting'' on the idea.

And on Thursday, Cook went unclaimed through waivers. … freeing him to sign with a contender. So the bargain price of $388,888 might be gone. But …

Despite the struggles in New York (214 yards on 67 carries), Cook's resume and skillsets could make him an intriguing addition to a playoff team looking to make noise on the postseason bracket.

And adding to the intrigue? While he has a one-year deal in New York worth $7 million, at this point in the year he was only due one more paycheck ... totalling $388,888.

That's pretty low-risk for Dallas ... or any other contender who wants a cheap look at a once-standout player.

But that was to claim the player and his contract. Now? The Dalvin Sweepstakes begins.

The Cowboys in a post-Ezekiel Elliott era, feature Tony Pollard, but he is averaging a career-worst 4.0 yards per carry. Rico Dowdle in recent weeks has gotten more snaps, but while the national media has talked about "Dowdle now being banged up,'' CowboysSI.com reported on Wednesday that Dowdle is ramping back up and practiced on a limited basis with his ankle issue.

Another national-media goof: It's being written that "the Cowboys have been known to hunt for big names under Jerry Jones, so an opportunity to add Cook on the cheap may interest the Cowboys enough to pull the trigger."

That is a myth, dispelled just this week. Dallas is signing La'el Collins and Damian Harris. That's not exactly "Charles Haley and Deion Sanders,'' the sort of 1990's acquisitions that helped create this bogus idea.

There is no big money there. There are no "big names'' there. They are functional backup candidates who will start on the practice squad.

A year ago, the Cowboys brought Cook's fellow four-time Pro Bowler T.Y. Hilton aboard in an attempt to shore up their receiving depth beyond CeeDee Lamb. The former Indianapolis Colt wound up earning 159 yards on 10 receptions over five games, including two postseason appearances. Hilton, though, at that point in his career was hardly a "star.''

Is Cook a "star''? Adding Cook to the fold could take some pressure off Dak Prescott: while Prescott continues to linger on the fringes of the MVP discussion, there's no denying that Dallas dips when he's overworked. In Prescott's nine-year tenure as the franchise quarterback, the Cowboys are 8-16 when he throws more than 40 times a game, including 1-2 this season.

Further support to the Cook cause was added on Wednesday when Dallas placed depth piece Deuce Vaughn on injured reserve. Dowdle, who has been dealing with an ankle injury, is the only other rusher beyond Pollard on the active roster while Malik Davis lingers on the practice squad.

So, who might bid? Is there a reason to think the Niners would want him? We don't know. But his hometown Dolphins were interested last summer. And the Ravens are rumored to be interested now.

Cowboys BREAKING: Martavis Bryant Cut, La'el Collins Signed; Dallas Makes 5 Roster Moves

And the Chiefs and the Bills and others?

Dallas (11-5) will have one more chance to find some clarity on the ground when they face the Washington Commanders in their regular season finale on late Sunday afternoon (3:25 p.m. CT, Fox). ... and while the team focuses on that, the front office has reason to "visit'' on the idea of Cook.

But not because he's a "star.'' Rather, because he might join this week's list of "functional backups.'' ... depending on who wins the “Dalvin Sweepstakes.”