NFL Rumors: New York Jets "Have Done Their Homework" on Star Running Back

The market for four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook has been slow to develop, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's completely without suitors. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the New York Jets have "done their homework" on the former Minnesota Viking and remain in contention to land the free agent.

Some interesting #Jets notes from @JFowlerESPN: the Jets have done their ‘homework’ on Dalvin Cook (@dalvincook) ‘they’re in the mix’ + things remain slow on a Quinnen Williams extension they could have an issue if not done prior to training camp + some players could be asked to… pic.twitter.com/f4hEmdcK6w
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) July 5, 2023

Cook is coming off his fourth-straight Pro Bowl season after finishing with 1468 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns in 2022. Despite the strong performance, the Vikings cut Cook earlier this offseason, largely due to a $14.1 million 2023 cap number.

Still only 27 years old, Cook cuts the profile of a potentially coveted star, but the league-wide deflation in the perceived value of running backs likely means he isn't seeing offers to his liking so far this offseason. Only six backs in the league are earning more per year than the value of a one-year franchise tag ($10.9 million), and one of them (Joe Mixon) is a constant subject of cut speculation.

Despite his age and success, if Cook wasn't worth his $10.4 million salary to the Vikings, he's unlikely to find that money elsewhere. There's a reason he was cut and not traded; teams weren't interested in paying him meaningful money.

Settling for a modest deal on a contender may be Cook's only option. The Jets fit that bill, but if he wants to try and increase his value and land a bigger deal in the future, they may not be the best fit; he'd be competing for touches with promising 2022 second-round pick Breece Hall, who averaged an eye-popping 5.8 yards per carry before succumbing to injury last year. Cook should be able to find a clearer path to a major role elsewhere.