Is Dalvin Cook gone after the Vikings took DeWayne McBride in the draft?
When the Minnesota Vikings selected DeWayne McBride in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, it may have been a move that flew under the radar. But for the Vikings, it may have increased significance as it could signal the end of Dalvin Cook's time in Minnesota.
"He was somebody we had fairly high up on our board...kind of a starter grade," Vikings general manager Adofo-Mensah said of McBride. "[He's] somebody that carried the ball a lot and was really productive."
Highly productive is an understatement, as McBride led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 1,713 rushing yards last season. With a blend of size, speed and contact balance, he was a coveted prospect for the Vikings and was brought in for a visit earlier this month.
DeWayne McBride has a legit chance to make a real impact for the #Vikings this year if Dalvin Cook is traded.
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) April 29, 2023
Highly productive college RB with great contact balance, vision, and toughness. pic.twitter.com/iJMM3ipHVS
While McBride has been productive on the ground, he hasn't shown much in the passing game, with just five receptions in three years at UAB, but Adofo-Mensah believes that was due to a lack of opportunity and he could show more value in Kevin O'Connell's offense.
"I think a lot of times in college, the running backs aren't used in the passing game," Adofo-Mensah said. "...But [Vikings running backs coach Curtis Modkins] has been doing this a long time...and he kind of knows what to look for in those limited opportunities when you get the chance. ... We had some good intel that he's got a lot more passing game value than he showed."
This is bad news for Cook, whose future in Minnesota has been in question this offseason. Cook's efficiency declined over the past two seasons as he ranked 33rd out of 42 qualifying running backs in success rate according to Football Outsiders last season. He also struggled in the passing game, with just 0.72 yards per route run per Pro Football Focus.
This has set the backdrop for Cook to be shopped this offseason but the Vikings have had trouble finding a suitor. In addition to Cook's high salary, he underwent shoulder surgery back in March, which for now will leave him unable to pass a physical.
Cook has been linked with several teams this offseason including the Miami Dolphins, but Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald suggested those talks may be dead after the Dolphins selected Texas A&M running back Devon Achane in the third round of the draft on Friday night.
They talked about trade and it didn't work out. Can never be ruled out, but they drafted Achane, so no longer as much of a need obviously
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) April 29, 2023
SI's Albert Breer also suggested on Saturday that dealing Cook may be difficult as Cook's contract would have to be adjusted and teams are reluctant to deal 2024 draft picks due to the quality of next year's draft.
Adofo-Mensah said that conversations between Cook, the Vikings and fellow trade target Za'Darius Smith are ongoing, but the situation seems to be coming to a close in the coming weeks.
"We're keeping communication open with both those guys and like I said earlier, we're always just trying to find solutions for both them and us and we'll continue to do so," Adofo-Mensah said. "Dialogue will remain open with them."
