Should Buccaneers Target Dalvin Cook After Vikings Release?
In one of the longest breakups of the offseason the Minnesota Vikings have reportedly informed running back Dalvin Cook he will be released ahead of the team's mandatory minicamp next week.
Due to the fact that many Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans also support the Florida State Seminoles, there's a natural interest in whether or not Cook could be headed in-state.
And if you ask us, he should be, and the Bucs should absolutely look into obtaining his services.
READ MORE: ESPN Projects Buccaneers To Trade Devin White To AFC Football Team
First and foremost, however, there's the question of role - and believe it or not, that needs to be discussed before money can even begin to discriminate.
If Cook wants to be the undisputed lead back on his next team, then there's no reasonable amount of money that will likely take him off that spot.
Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) in action during the game against the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium. Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
As it is with veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott, if he's not willing to take the role Tampa Bay would ask him to, then there's no point in even entering contract talks.
That role would be one involving split carries at best, but second-back duties to start - and there's no promise the role would grow beyond that the closer we get to the season.
Second-year back Rachaad White ascended to be the Buccaneers' primary back once veteran Leonard Fournette was released, and that role was only solidified by the team's lack of draft capital spent on the position and the absence of a significant free agent signing.
Outside of White, the Bucs only addressed depth slot in the running back room, leaving the second-year man out of Arizona State the clear top option for offensive coordinator Dave Canales' squad.
But this doesn't mean Cook couldn't be productive in a specific role if he's humble enough to take it on.
For a back in his position with several games lost over the years to injuries, and chronic shoulder issues on top of it, joining a backfield where he's not the primary man could help lengthen his career.
READ MORE: Former Bucs QB Jameis Winston Comments On Jon Gruden's Involvement With The Saints
On a one-year deal, getting split work against potentially fatigued defenses could even prove valuable enough to coax a few more million dollars out of a team next offseason.
Sports Illustrated gives the Bucs an outside-the-top-10 chance of landing Cook and favors another Florida team - the Miami Dolphins - as the top spot for him to land.
Outside of Miami, three NFC East teams and the NFC South's Carolina Panthers are also on the list of top 10 teams likely to land Cook, making Tampa Bay fans who are lovers of Florida State less likely to get a new alumni running back to cheer for this season.
Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82
Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the season.
