Chargers Free Agent RB Target Among 10 Unsigned Under 30 Ranking

Should the Chargers look to make a splash on the free agent market?

The biggest news around the NFL in recent days was the Minnesota Vikings releasing running back Dalvin Cook after six seasons with the team.

Cook, 27, remains a quality back in the NFL, having broken the 1,000 yard plateau in each of his past four seasons.

But with Minnesota and Cook at a contract impasse and Alexander Mattison emerging as a productive runner of his own in the Vikings backfield, a seperation seemed best for both sides and Cook is sure to have plenty of suitors as a free agent.

Recently, Cook was named as one of the ten best available free agents under 30 years old by Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report, with the writer explaining that while the Florida State alumnus is producing at a solid level, it'll likely cost any team looking to get his services.

"There has also been speculation that he's angling for essentially the same compensation that he was set to receive from the Vikings in 2023—north of $10 million a season. If teams aren't willing to pay that, Cook's in no hurry to sign."

So where do the Bolts fit in this situation?

While he would be a more than a strong weapon on his own, the fit just isn't there when looking at the roster.

Yes, the Chargers and Austin Ekeler are in a bit of a stalemate when it comes to his contract, but he remains on the roster, the team added incentives to his deal, and Ekeler is willing to keep negotiating his deal even if that stretches into the season.

With all of that said, Los Angeles doesn't have a need at running back, at least through 2023, and it wouldn't be worth paying Cook's potential asking price.

Financially, the Chargers don't have the available cap room to afford Cook either.

That could change of course between now and the start of the regular season, but then it goes back to the question of role addressed earlier.

The Chargers currently have Ekeler entrenched as their No. 1 back, a situation that makes a potential signing of Cook difficult at best, and impossible at worst.