Bills Not Done Pursuing Dalvin Cook Trade?

The Buffalo Bills have added more pieces at running back but are still missing that elite option.

Arguably the Buffalo Bills' biggest move of the offseason to this point is them trading up in the NFL Draft for Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid. But could they be set to make a blockbuster move in one final attempt to push their roster from AFC East division winners to perennial Super Bowl contenders?

That is what a recent article from Bleacher Report wrote about in regard to Minnesota Vikings running Dalvin Cook. The Bills' need for an elite running back has been well-documented, as they haven't had a 1,000-yard rusher since LeSean McCoy back in 2017. 

After letting veteran back Devin Singletary walk in free agency, BR writes that the Bills don't have the "star power" despite signing Damien Harris and Latavius Murray to compete with James Cook, the young brother to Dalvin.

Dalvin, 27, has been the lead back in Minnesota since being drafted in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Florida State. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2022, the fourth-straight season doing so.

The reason for wanting to move on from Cook is not about a lack of production, rather, it is for "cost-cutting" purposes. After having released veteran wide receiver, Adam Thielen, it makes sense as to why Minnesota would want to move on from Cook. By getting rid of him, in a post-June 1 trade, the Vikings would save $11 million. 

So what's the biggest hurdle for Buffalo? Cap space. According to OverTheCap, the Bills have just over $2 million in cap room to use, which is not near enough to take on Cooks. Yet by pulling some financial levers, they could easily make room.

Using OverTheCap, the Bills can save over $12 million by restructuring the deals of cornerback Tre'Davious White and offensive tackle Dion Dawkins. That $12 million would be more than enough to take on Cook's deal and, in turn, give the Bills that elite back they've been looking for.

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