Week 7 at New York Jets
Once again, it looked like Dalvin Cook was going to play last week only for him to be ruled inactive. He practiced in full on Wednesday only to not practice on Thursday, leaving his availability for Sunday up in question. Cook has shown promise when he has played, but he hasn't done much of that in 2018 so it's difficult to know where he's at right now.
Assuming he does play, he gets a decent matchup against the Jets this week. New York is in the middle of the league when it comes to defending backs, so Cook should be fine if healthy. We like him as a low-end RB2 or flex play against the Jets.
Week 6 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Dalvin Cook should be back this week after missing last game with a hamstring injury. Cook totaled at least 90 yards in his first two games when he was healthy, but has played sparingly since. He's been a full participant in practice this week so he should finally be ready to return to being a strong back.
And he gets a great matchup to do it, as he faces the Cardinals who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing backs this year. Arizona is allowing the second-most rush yards per game (142.4) and has allowed nine total scores to the position — the most in the league. We like Cook as a strong RB2 play.
Week 5 at Philadelphia Eagles
Dalvin Cook has been frustrating this season as he deals with a hamstring injury that forced him to miss one game. But in addition to being inactive once, he's been limited in his touches as well. He's had just 10 carries in each of his last two games, and he's gained a total of 58 yards on those 20 attempts.
He should be active this week against the Eagles, but it doesn't look good on paper. Philadelphia has been brutal to RBs this season, allowing an average of 40 rushing yards to backs this season while only giving up one score.
We know you likely drafted Cook as an RB1, but he's more of an RB3 choice this week given the circumstances. Bad matchup, injury and limited touches makes him a poor play.
Week 4 at Los Angeles Rams
Dalvin Cook missed last week with a hamstring injury, but Mike Zimmer said the second-year back has a "possibility" to play Thursday night. Cook did not practice on Monday, but was a limited participant on Tuesday.
When asked about the injury, Cook told reporters, “It’s still taking this thing day to day and seeing how I feel Thursday. It’s just something you can’t control, so it’s just how it feels Thursday.’’
If he does play, we like him as an RB2 play.
Week 3 vs. Buffalo Bills
For the second straight game, Dalvin Cook has finished with more receiving yards than rushing yards. He didn't get many opportunities on the ground (10 carries), but if he's making up for it as a receiver then there's not too much to complain about. The only negative to Cook so far is he hasn't found the end zone.
That could change this week against the Bills, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing RBs this season. Buffalo has allowed a league-leading six touchdowns against backs this season, so maybe this will be Cook's lucky day. We like him as a strong RB2 play, assuming he plays.
Cook did miss practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a hamstring injury, but he's expected to be fine by game time.
Week 2 at Green Bay Packers
Dalvin Cook finished with 95 total yards last week, 40 on the ground (16 carries) and 55 through the air (5 receptions on 7 targets). He was ineffective as a runner (2.5 yards per carry) and was even out-gained on the ground by backup Latavius Murray. Overall, though, he had a solid game for the Vikings.
He faces a somewhat favorable matchup against the Packers this week. Green Bay gave up over 100 rushing yards to backs a week ago, so there's an opportunity for Cook to find success. We like him as an RB2 in standard and PPR formats.
Week 1 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Dalvin Cook got off to a great start last season before his unfortunate injury forced him to miss the rest of the year. He's back and healthy in 2018. He gets the start in Week 1 against a favorable 49ers defense.
Cook doesn't offer too much more value in PPR formats compared to standard, but he should get plenty of touches to be valuable in both. We like Cook a lot in Week 1 and he should be viewed as an RB1.
Fantasy Upside
Dalvin Cook got off to a great start in his 2017 rookie season, averaging over 100 scrimmage yards per game in the first four weeks. It was a small sample size, but he showed he could be effective as an every-down back. And with Jerick McKinnon leaving in free agency, it leaves a pass-catching role open in the offense, which Cook can fill. Minnesota was already giving Cook plenty of touches as a rookie, and if that keeps up in 2018 then we could see a lot of production in his second season.
Fantasy Downside
We only mentioned four games in Cook’s upside from his rookie season, because that’s all he played before suffering a torn ACL. He’s healthy now, but the injury is a bit worrisome. He also no longer has Pat Shurmur calling plays, so that could lead to fewer touches under new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo.
2018 Bottom Line
Cook appears to be healthy, and gets to start for a great team. Minnesota has a strong defense, which often leads to more opportunities on the ground for a back like Cook. If he can keep up the production from last season, he’ll easily end the year as an RB1. You can expect to take him from the early to late second round in fantasy drafts.
Week 4 vs. Detroit Lions
Dalvin Cook continued his strong rookie season with his best performance of the year last week. He finished with 169 total yards and scored his first touchdown of the season. Minnesota clearly feels comfortable with him in charge as Cook finished with 27 carries last week. It's his second 20+ touch game so far this season.
Cook should continue his strong season this week in a favorable matchup against the Lions. Cook is second in the league in rushing yards and rushing attempts. As long as he continues to have those big numbers, then he's worth starting in fantasy. He should be viewed as a low-end RB1 play this week.
Week 3 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dalvin Cook played well last week, but the game script meant he didn't get as many touches. He only carried the ball 12 times, but he made the most of it, rushing for 64 yards (5.3 yards per carry). He also added 2 receptions for 0 yards.
If Cook is able to get more touches, like he did in Week 1, then he should be fine. But without Sam Bradford in Week 2, the offense wasn't able to move the ball a whole lot.
Cook doesn't get a great matchup this week against the Bucs defense, but he's still worth starting in fantasy due to his talent and opportunity. He should be viewed as a low-end RB1 or strong RB2 play in Week 3.
