Week 3 vs. Seahawks
Cook remains an elite RB1 on a weekly basis, averaging 21 rush attempts and five targets so far this season. He's one of the few true bell-cows remaining in the NFL. The risk here is that Cook is currently nursing an ankle injury, putting his status in question for this game. However, it appears that Cook should be good to go against a Seahawks defense that just allowed Derrick Henry to go off for 237 total yards and three touchdowns.
While the Vikings have been much more pass-heavy this season, this isn't a big deal for Cook since he can make an impact in the passing game, catching 8-of-10 targets for 60 yards so far this season. Don't worry about a limited workload with the ankle injury because if we see Cook suit up, we can expect a full slate of volume in a projected shootout. Cook is in contention for overall RB1 this week.
Week 2 at Cardinals
Cook reminded everyone why he's an elite RB1 every week against the Bengals in Week 1. While he was inefficient on the ground, totaling only 61 yards on 20 carries, he made up for it by catching 6-of-7 targets for 43 yards, finishing as RB8 for the week. Cook remains one of the few running backs who can average 20+ touches per game. He's a matchup-proof RB1 each and every week.
Cook takes on a Cardinals defense that ranked 17th in aFPA to running backs last season, but they just limited Derrick Henry to 17 carries for 58 yards. It's possible that this is an improved unit and that we could see another inefficient game on the ground for Cook, but that's not too much of a concern given his usage in the passing game. Cook has high touchdown equity in a projected shootout, so fire him up as an elite RB1.
Week 1 at Cincinnati Bengals
It’s wheels up for Dalvin Cook in the opening week of the season against the Bengals. This is a defense that gave up 5.34 yards per carry last season (31st). They also ranked 25th in aFPA to running backs, so Cook will have a great opportunity to hit his ceiling in this game. The Bengals added defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi to their defensive line, but they still look like one of the worst run defenses in the NFL.
We can safely project the Vikings to remain one of the most run-heavy teams in the NFL this season, so Cook should continue to get among the highest volume in football. The defensive improvements could put Cook in more favorable game scripts, allowing for more rush attempts. This particular game against the Bengals looks like one of those games, as the Vikings should be able to control this one with it being quarterback Joe Burrow’s first game off the torn ACL. Cook is an elite RB1 each and every week, but this is a spot where he has a chance to be the highest scorer at the position.
Fantasy Upside
Dalvin Cook rushed for 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns on 312 carries (5.0 Y/A) in 14 games. He also caught 44-of-54 targets for 361 yards (8.2 Y/R) and one touchdown, finishing as RB1 in half-PPR points per game. Cook remains the focal point of a run-heavy Vikings offense. He projects to be among the league leaders in touches at the running back position. With the improvements on the Vikings offensive line, Cook should have more opportunities to remain as one of the most efficient running backs in the NFL. While it’s hard to see Cook eclipsing last season’s elite production, he definitely has the upside to repeat those numbers.
Fantasy Downside
Cook has missed at least two games in his last three seasons. Throughout his career, he’s played 43 out of a potential 64 games. This is a player who has dealt with injuries in the past. He’s also coming off a 357-touch season, so it remains to be seen if this type of workload is sustainable, especially considering his injury history. There’s definitely a chance that the Vikings opt to scale back his workload a bit just to ensure that he’s fresh throughout the season. At the same time, Cook is one of the most efficient runners in the NFL, so even if we see him total 300 touches instead of 350+, he should still remain an elite fantasy back.
Bottom Line
Cook is currently being drafted as RB2 (2.1 ADP) in Underdog fantasy leagues, so he comes at a premium price. This is an efficient runner locked into a high-volume role, playing behind an improved offensive line and upgraded defense which could result in more favorable game scripts. He’s one of the most valuable fantasy running backs in the NFL. The only downside with Cook is his injury history. The good news is that backup Alexander Mattison usually gets a large role whenever Cook misses time, so grabbing Mattison could be a nice insurance policy. Draft Cook with confidence.
Week 16 at New Orleans
Cook had another monster game last week against the Chicago Bears, as he carried the ball 24 times for 132 yards, one touchdown and caught all five of his targets for 27 yards. Even though there was a ton of passing in this NFC North rivalry game, it was Cook who once again dictated the flow of this Minnesota offense. Cook has arguably been the fantasy MVP this season as he has scored in double digits in all but one game and has had at least 14 PPR points in those games. While he might not have a chance at the rushing title this year, he certainly can end the season with the most rushing touchdowns.
In his Week 16 matchup, Cook faces the New Orleans Saints who rank 2nd in aFPA to RBs this season. Even though the Saints' run defense was at one point the best in the NFL, it has started to crack as of late as it has given up an average of 212.5 rushing yards over the past two games. A perfect storm brewing for fantasy managers—the decline of the Saints run defense and Cook fresh off gashing a stout Bears run defense should result in yet another masterful performance by Cook. Expect an elite RB1 game from him in the title game.
Week 15 vs Chicago
Cook had another strong game last week against a tough Tampa Bay defense as he ran the ball 22 times for 102 yards and one touchdown while also catching 2-of-4 targets for eight yards. With Kirk Cousins under pressure all game long, Cook carried the offense and was the only bright spot for the Vikings. Cook has had a great year as he’s second in the league with 1,352 rushing yards and tied with Tennessee’s Derrick Henry for first with 14 rushing scores.
Cook is in store for another difficult matchup this week as the Chicago Bears are ranked 4th in aFPA to RBs this season. Cook’s Week 10 matchup against the Bears was a tough one as his 3.2 yards per carry average in the game had him total 112 total scrimmage yards on 34 touches. Much like in that game, Cook will be given plenty of opportunities, so fire him up as a surefire RB1 this week.
Week 14 at Tampa Bay
Cook rebounded nicely last week from his poor Week 12 performance as he ran the ball 32 times for 120 yards and caught 6-of-9 targets for 59 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The nine targets are by far the most Cook has had this season and his 32 carries were also a season-high. Just when we thought Cook’s workload could not get any bigger, he gets 39 total touches a game and further entrenches himself as fantasy football’s RB1. Cook is second to only Derrick Henry in carries (250) and rushing yards (1,250) while his 13 rushing touchdowns lead all RBs this season.
Week 14 brings a difficult matchup for Cook as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ranked fourth in aFPA to RBs this season. Cook has proven to be matchup proof all season given the ample work he sees both in the running and passing game, so there is little reason to think he will not have another great game. Hopefully, his increased involvement in the passing game continues which at that point, would make fantasy mangers with Cook a virtual lock to make it to the championship game. Cook should be viewed as an elite RB1 in the opening week of the fantasy playoffs.
Week 13 vs Jacksonville
Cook had his worst game of the season last week against Jacksonville as he carried the ball 18 times for 61 yards, one lost fumble, and caught all four of his targets for 21 yards. Cook tweaked his ankle in the second half of the game and has been limited in practice all this week. The wear and tear of a workhorse load might be catching up to Cook, however, his opportunities will keep him as an elite play all season.
Cook has an excellent matchup in Week 13, as the Jacksonville Jaguars are ranked 29th in aFPA to RBs this season. The Jaguars just gave up a monster game to Cleveland’s Nick Chubb last week as he ran the ball 19 times for 144 yards and one touchdown. It is safe to say the Jacksonville defense will also not have an answer for Cook who is this week’s overall RB1 and should produce elite numbers in this one.
Week 12 vs Carolina
Cook bounced back last week in a big way as he ran the ball 27 times for 115 yards, one touchdown, and caught all five of his targets for 45 yards. For as productive as Cook was, the biggest visual from this game was Dallas safety Donovan Wilson absolutely obliterating Cook on a dig route which led to Cook’s second lost fumble of the season and some time to catch his breath on the bench.
Week 12 brings a bit more difficult matchup in the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are ranked 22nd in aFPA to RBs this season and are fresh off shutting down Detroit’s less than impressive running game. In a game that was already going to heavily feature Cook, the recent news of Adam Thielen set to miss this game due to being placed on the reserved/COVIS-19 list could mean an even bigger workload for Cook. Expect elite RB1 numbers from Cook this week and perhaps a stronger than usual PPR game as he might see a few extra targets.
Week 11 vs Dallas
Cook finally “came back down to Earth” last week against Chicago as he had 30 carries for 96 yards and caught four receptions for 16 yards. It’s quite something when a RB goes over 100 yards from scrimmage and it’s considered an off day, but that’s just how productive Cook has been all season. This effectively ends Cook’s touchdown streak where he’s scored in every game this year, but much better days are ahead as the Dallas Cowboys are his Week 11 opponent.
Dallas is ranked 20th in aFPA to RBs this season as they’ve been one of the worse tackling teams in the league. This game has all the makings of another Cook blowup game, so there is no reason to think he will not continue to produce elite RB1 numbers. Cook is out top-ranked RB this week, expect that touchdown streak to start anew in Week 11.
