Dalvin Cook

Dalvin Cook is an American football running back, who is currently playing for the New York Jets in the NFL. He used to play for the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football at Florida State, where he finished his career as the school's all-time leading rusher. He was a five-star recruit out of college and got drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2017. Dalvin Cook has been plagued with injuries throughout his career with the Vikings and signed a contract extension with the franchise in 2020, keeping him with them till 2025. Over the past three seasons, Cook has rushed for 3,851 yards and 35 rushing touchdowns. His rushing yards are only second to that of Derrick Henry. The Minnesota Vikings released Dalvin Cook in June 2023 citing a lack of trade offers for him.

Dalvin Cook’s Early Life and Background

Cook was born in Opa-Locka, Florida, and attended Miami Central High School. He did not play football until his sophomore and was more interested in track. He started playing as a running back and a defensive back. In his senior year, he had the best record in the country among high school running backs with 1940 yards, 37 touchdowns for 177 carries, and 3 pass interceptions on defense. He led the Miami Centrals to a 52-5 record by the end of his high school career.

He attended Florida State University and was named MVP in the ACC Championship game against Georgia Tech in his freshman year. Cook was suspended in 2015 for off-field assault incidents but later reinstated to the team after being found innocent. He finished his high school career with 4464 rushing yards and won the Orange Bowl.

Who Drafted Dalvin Cook?

Cook decided to forgo his senior year at college to enter the 2017 NFL Draft. Prior arrests, off-field issues, and character concerns made him fall in the draft pecking order even though he was one of the best running back prospects. The Minnesota Vikings drafted him in the 2nd Round of the Draft as the 41st overall pick. Other players from the 2017 NFL Draft class include quarterback Patrick Mahomes, defensive end Myles Garrett, and quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Dalvin Cook’s NFL Journey

Cook set the Vikings' rookie record for rushing on his debut game against the New Orleans Saints. He rushed for 127 yards with 22 carries. He suffered an injury in a Week 4 game against the Detroit Lions. His rookie season ended prematurely as he tore his ACL. He returned from injury in 2018 in the season opener game against the San Francisco 49ers. He suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2 and missed the next 4 games. In Week 15 of the 2018 season, Cook won the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his 136 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 41-17 victory over the Dolphins.

Cook had a strong 2019 season and finished with 1,135 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns to go along with 53 receptions for 519 receiving yards in 14 games. He signed a $63 million five-year contract extension with the Vikings in 2020 In a Week 9 34–20 victory over the Detroit Lions, Cook became only the third player in Vikings franchise history to record 200 rushing yards in a single game. He received 2 Offensive Player of the Week honors in the season and finished the season with a career-high 1,557 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 361 receiving yards with 1 touchdown. He missed the last game of the season due to the death of his father. Cook was released by the Vikings after they were unable to find suitable trade offers for him.

He totaled 2015 rushing yards, 27 carries, and 2 rushing touchdowns in Week 14 of 2021, just 11 days after dislocating his shoulder. Cook was accused of battery and assault on his former girlfriend on November 9, 2021. He denied the allegation and investigations are ongoing.

Dalvin Cook teams

Minnesota Vikings (2017-2022)

In his first NFL game against the New Orleans Saints, Cook set the Vikings' rookie debut rushing record, previously held by Adrian Peterson by rushing for 127 yards on 22 carries. A torn ACL prematurely ended his rookie season, with Cook finishing the season with just 354 rushing yards. In Week 15 of the 2018 season, Cook rushed for 136 yards and two rushing touchdowns, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Cook finished the 2018 season with 615 rushing yards, along with 40 receptions for 305 yards and two touchdowns. During Week 10 of the 2019 season, Cook rushed 26 times for 97 yards and a touchdown and caught seven passes for 86 yards, giving him another NFC Offensive Player of the Week. In the 2019 season, Cook finished with 1,135 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns to go along with 53 receptions for 519 receiving yards in 14 games.

On September 12, 2020, Cook signed a five-year, $63 million contract extension with the Vikings. During Week 8 against the Packers, Cook finished with 163 rushing yards, 63 receiving yards, and four total touchdowns, becoming the first Vikings player to score four times in a single game since Ahmad Rashad. He became only the third player in Vikings franchise history to record 200 rushing yards in a single game, joining Adrian Peterson and Chuck Foreman. Cook finished the 2020 season with a career-high 1,557 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, plus 361 receiving yards and one touchdown, and was named to the Pro Bowl. Cook finished the 2021 season with 249 carries for 1,159 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns to go along with 34 receptions for 224 receiving yards, earning a third consecutive Pro Bowl nomination.

The Minnesota Vikings were looking to trade Dalvin Cook at the end of the 2022-23 NFL season. However, the Vikings decided to release the four time Pro-Bowl awardee after failing to find a suitable trade offer. The Vikings will managed to save $9 million in cap space and take on $5.1 million in dead money after his release.

New York Jets (2023-present)

Dalvin Cook signed a 1-year contract with the New York Jets, after being released by the Minnesota Vikings. The deal was signed on August 15, 2023.

Dalvin Cook Awards and Honours

Dalvin Cook's Net Worth

Dalvin Cook’s net worth is estimated to be around $20 million, owing to his substantial salaries as an NFL player.

Dalvin Cook Contract

Dalvin Cook signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets worth $7,000,000. $5,800,00 of that contract is guaranteed, with an average annual salary of $7 million. His former contract was with the minnesota Vikings. He signed a 5-year contract extension with the Vikings on September 12, 2020. The extension was worth $63 million in new money with a little over $16.3 million fully guaranteed at signing.The Vikings however, terminated his contract in 2023 after failing to find a suitable trade offer for him.

Read more about Dalvin Cook's Contract

Dalvin Cook family

Dalvin Cook has six siblings in total. He also has a step-sibling from his father’s side. He was close to his father who passed away in 2020. Dalvin’s younger brother James Cook plays as a running back and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 2022 NFL Draft.