Is Dalvin Cook-ed? The Data Doesn't Look Good
It's a small sample size, but the results haven't been pretty.
New York Jets' running back Dalvin Cook has looked like a shadow of the four-time Pro Bowler that carried the Minnesota Vikings' ground game to prominence in recent years.
After the Vikings released their former second-round draft pick in June, Cook eventually signed a one-year contract with the Jets in August. With lead back Breece Hall coming off ACL surgery, the 28-year-old Cook was seemingly added to provide battle-tested insurance for the offense.
Cook's patented explosiveness, however, hasn't shown up since he joined the Jets. He's averaging a career-low 2.8 yards per carry and a deeper look at the numbers provides even more reason to worry.
It certainly raised a red flag when the Vikings seemed so eager to part ways with Cook despite a fourth consecutive 1,100-yard rushing campaign in 2022. After he averaged a career-low 4.4 yards per carry, reports suggested that Minnesota saw a severe dip in his advanced metrics on the horizon.
In six games with Gang Green, Cook's production has plummeted. He has rushed 39 times for 109 yards and has no touchdowns. The once-feared ball carrier has not gained more than nine yards on any run in his last five appearances.
His longest carry of the season came in the form of a 10-yard burst in the opener against Buffalo. Quarterback Zach Wilson and undrafted rookie receiver Xavier Gipson have both recorded multiple rushes longer than Cook's season long.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett provided a positive outlook for Cook prior to the Week 5 road win over Denver.
"So, I think going into this game it’s great to have those guys all practicing together. Breece [Hall] getting his legs underneath him and Dalvin, too, all those guys. I think all of them are starting to come along as we get later on in the season," said Hackett.
Cook has gained 35 rush yards on nine carries in two games since Hackett's comment and the Jets appear to be moving away from the ineffective veteran. His snap count has fallen from 27 plays (50 percent) in Week 1 to nine snaps (14 percent) in Week 6.
With Hall seemingly back to full strength while ranking second amongst NFL leaders in yards per carry (6.5), it makes sense to shift the workload heavily in his direction.
The Jets showed they aren't afraid to cut bait on a free-agent mistake earlier this week. After Mecole Hardman was unable to integrate into the offensive plans, the Green & White dealt the slot receiver to the Kansas City Chiefs.
One has to think that Joe Douglas and Co. will be shopping Cook as the trade deadline approaches.
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