Ravens Trade Rumor: Dump Dalvin Cook from New York Jets To Baltimore?
Do the Baltimore Ravens need yet another semi-helper at running back? ESPN, in a column by Bill Barnwell, offers a suggested proposal that would bring Dalvin Cook from the New York Jets into the Ravens running backs room.
It's a fun name; Cook in his career put up numbers that led to four Pro Bowl appearances along the way. But Cook's signing with the Jets this offseason has accomplished nothing - in part because Breece Hall is in charge, and maybe in part because quarterback Aaron Rodgers' Week 1 injury changed the entire complexion of the Jets' plan. the fourth play of the 2023 NFL season.
Dalvin and the Ravens?
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So, take a flier on Dalvin Cook at age 28? The Ravens are without JK Dobbins this year due to injury and right now are heavily reliant on Gus Edwards, who has been surprisingly productive here.
Is Dalvin better than Gus? That's the first question; Cook's performance in New York says "no.'' Is Dalvin so bad that the Jets would actually take less in draft capital than they'd give? Wait ... what?
In Barnwell's creative view, the Jets would give Dalvin and a fourth-rounder ... while taking back a fifth-rounder - meaning the Jets would be recognizing that Cook has “negative trade value.''
Barnwell believes the Jets might do this so as not to pay Cook his weekly roster bonus, reportedly at $272,000 per game. That is an unusual way to look at it, and here is why: The total there for the year is about $5 million. Prorated, that means New York might save $2 million with the dump.
Has Cook been so bad that they would take a lesser pick just to save $2 million? And, the flip side for the Lamar Jackson-led Ravens, coming off a Week 7 win over the powerful Detroit Lions 38-6? If Cook is that bad ... Why do I want him?
It can be argued that Baltimore can get a "free look'' at the player by making this swap. But that would require the Ravens, in theory, to play him in games - a much better idea in August than it is right now, with this team trying to piece together a Super Bowl run.
