Dalvin Cook Earns Preseason All-Pro projection for first time

Dalvin Cook is arguably the top running back in the NFL; so it’s a shock to see the Vikings star make the Pro-Football Focus (PFF) preseason All-Pro projections for the first time. Cook is slated as the running back on the list; while Dak Prescott (quarterback), Terry McClaurin (wide-receiver), and Darren Waller (tight end) round out the offensive skill position predictions.

The 2019-2020 campaign marked the first Pro-Bowl nod for Cook, but he was the clear top running back in terms of votes from fans.

Top five Pro Bowl fan vote getters so far:
1. Lamar Jackson: 146,171
2. Patrick Mahomes: 116,325
3. Russell Wilson: 115,370
4. Dalvin Cook: 106,167
5. Christian McCaffrey: 100,218

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 20, 2019

Even, PFF admits Dalvin Cook should have earned All-Pro recognition last year. Instead, PFF slated the Minnesota star as a second-team All-Pro behind Derrick Henry. Cook closed out the 2020 campaign with a career-high 90.2 PFF rushing grade and picked up 91 combined first downs and touchdowns on the ground (22 more than anyone besides Henry).

The former Florida State dual-threat out of the backfield has started every game the last two NFL seasons and his stats are eye-popping. In 2019, Cook rushed for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns, adding 53 receptions for 513 years as a safety blanket for Kirk Cousins. With COVID-19 eliminating a typical NFL offseason in 2020, Cook somehow didn’t flinch and only got better. In his first Pro-Bowl campaign, the Minnesota ball-carrier rushed for 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Why Dalvin Cook Will Continue To Shine

The Cousins debate will continue to roar, but most Vikings fans understand what they have behind center at this point. While the massive contract continues to weigh down decision-making from the coaching staff, Cousins has to play more consistently in 2021 to stick around as the long-term answer in Minnesota.

Where does Dalvin Cook fit into this picture? Cousins has always played his best football when the running game creates a major threat for the defense, setting up play-action opportunities downfield. Vikings’ head coach Mike Zimmer has learned to rely on Dalvin Cook in key situations and he will get as many, if not more, carries in 2021.

Cook will continue to get a bevy of carries, setting up the play-action threat for Cousins and if he can stay healthy, the sky is the limit.