Week 13 at Seattle Seahawks
Dalvin Cook easily had his worst game of the season last week, rushing 11 times for just 26 yards. He managed to add value as a receiver, catching five passes for 31 yards. He also found the endzone for the 11th time this season. So even when Cook struggles, he still finds a way to be productive. He gets another tough matchup this week against the Seahawks who have allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards to backs this season. Still, Cook has been too dominant to even consider benching him. He's a must-start RB1 in Week 13.
Week 11 vs. Denver Broncos
Dalvin Cook had another ridiculous game last week as he led Minnesota in rushing and receiving. He ran 26 times for 97 yards and a touchdown while also catching seven passes for 86 yards, a total of 183 scrimmage yards. Cook is already just nine yards shy of 1,000 rushing yards on the season while also having 424 receiving yards. It's remarkable what he's been able to do in 2019. He should be viewed as a must-start RB1 in a solid matchup against the Broncos.
Week 10 at Dallas Cowboys
It's incredible how consistent Dalvin Cook has been in 2019. He finished with 116 scrimmage yards last week and has now scored double-digit fantasy points (PPR format) in every game this season. He's finished with at least 100 scrimmage yards in every game but two and has scored a touchdown in every game but two. He gets a solid matchup this week against the Cowboys as his high levels of production should continue. You should view him as a must-start RB1 in Week 10.
Week 9 at Kansas City Chiefs
Dalvin Cook had yet another strong game as he finished with 171 scrimmage yards (98 rushing, 73 receiving) and a touchdown. He's third in the league in rushing yards per game (102.9) all while also having 293 receiving yards. He's even scored in every game but one so far this season. Cook is an easy must-start every week at this point, but even more so in Week 9 as he gets a favorable matchup against the Chiefs. Kansas City is allowing 145 rushing yards per game, which is third-highest in the league. K.C. has also allowed 10 total touchdowns to the running back position. This is all a long-winded way of saying start Dalvin Cook.
Week 8 vs. Washington Redskins
Dalvin Cook had another strong game, which is somewhat surprising considering Kirk Cousins and Minnesota's passing attack has thrived. Cook carried the ball 25 times last week for 142 yards and two touchdowns. He's now ran for 100 or more yards in five of his seven games this season while scoring in all but one. He's already a must-play start, but he becomes an elite option this week in a favorable matchup against the Redskins. He could easily be the highest-scoring running back this week. Start him with confidence.
Week 7 at Detroit Lions
Dalvin Cook had his worst game of the season last week, finishing with a season-low 54 scrimmage yards. It's just the second time in six games he's been held under 100 yards. The good news, however, is he was able to score a touchdown, which he's now done in every game except one this season. So even when he's not great, he still finds a way to be productive. Cook has been a star in 2019, and shouldn't slow down in Week 7. He gets a great matchup against a Lions defense allowing the third-most fantasy points to running backs. Cook is a must-start RB1 against Detroit.
Week 6 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Dalvin Cook was able to thrive last week despite Minnesota's passing game excelling. He carried the ball 21 times for yards and caught six passes for 86 yards. He didn't score a touchdown, but 218 scrimmage yards should please most fantasy owners. Cook is averaging 22.6 touches per game, which is a remarkable number. It's nice when a player gets that kind of volume in any game, so to average that over a season makes Cook one of the most valuable players in fantasy. He gets a tough matchup against the Eagles this week (Philadelphia is allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to backs), but Cook is too good to ignore. He's an easy must-start RB1.
Week 5 at New York Giants
Dalvin Cook had easily his worst game of the season last week, rushing 14 times for 35 yards. But even in a bad performance, he was valuable, finishing with 70 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. And for those in PPR formats, Cook added a season-high six receptions. After playing a tough defense against the Bears, Cook gets a much better matchup against the Giants this week. It wouldn't be surprising to see him pick his 100-yard streak back up in Week 5. Start him with confidence as an RB1.
Week 4 at Chicago Bears
Dalvin Cook has been on fire to start 2019, rushing for 110+ yards in every game while also scoring at least once each week. He's averaging 151 scrimmage yards per game while holding a ridiculous 6.6 yards per carry. He also has 20 or more touches in all three games. To sum up: he's getting the ball a lot, and he's doing a lot with it.
He does get a tough test this week against Chicago, however. The Bears are allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. A big reason for that is the Bears haven't given up a touchdown to the position all year. The matchup is a little concerning, but it'd be foolish to bench Cook based on what he's done so far in 2019. He's an easy RB1 start in Week 4.
Week 3 vs. Oakland Raiders
Dalvin Cook is just one of two running backs so far in 2019 to get 20 or more touches in the first two weeks of the season. In Week 1 he ran 21 times for 111 yards and in Week 2 he ran 20 times 154 yards (scoring three times). He even has five catches for 46 yards so far this year as well. Long story short: Cook is getting touches, and is making the most out of it.
On paper, this should be a tough matchup against Oakland. The Raiders are allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to backs in 2019. But in Week 2, Oakland gave up over 400 passing yards, so there wasn't really a need to run. Cook should be just fine and can be trusted as a must-start RB1.
