Getty The Cowboys could sign Dalvin Cook as Tony Pollard's backup.
The Dallas Cowboys could be among the “best” fits four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook, who was released by the New York Jets on January 2.
Cook, 28, could be the “logical replacement” for injured Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle, according to the Sporting News’ Jacob Camenker.
“He would likely fare better behind Dallas’ strong offensive line and could help take some touches away from [lead RB Tony] Pollard while offering a bit more explosive playmaking ability than Dowdle,” Camenker wrote on January 3. Pollard is averaging a career-low 4.0 yards per carry this season after averaging 5.2 yards per carry last season in his first Pro Bowl campaign.
“The Cowboys have been known to hunt for big names under Jerry Jones, so an opportunity to add Cook on the cheap may interest the Cowboys enough to pull the trigger,” Camenker wrote, noting that other suitable landing spots for Cook are four other playoff teams: the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.
Why the Cowboys Could Sign Dalvin Cook
Pollard has lost some of his workload in recent games, according to Camenker, most notably in the team’s Week 14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Pollard carried the ball 16 times for 59 yards (3.7 yards per carry) in comparison to Dowdle’s 12 carries for 46 yards (3.8 yards per carry) for one touchdown.
Dowdle also carried the ball 12 times for 79 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and one touchdown in a win over the Giants in November while Pollard had 15 carries for 55 yards.
However, Dowdle missed the team’s Week 17 win over the Detroit Lions due to an ankle injury. Pollard carried the ball 16 times for just 49 yards on 3.1 yards per carry.
While Cook has been one of the least-efficient running backs in the NFL this season – he’s averaging a career-low 3.2 yards per carry – some of that has to do with the Jets’ stagnant offensive situation.
Furthermore, Cook’s inconsistent playing time as a result of playing a backup role to Breece Hall hasn’t helped. Despite being active for the team’s game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17, Cook didn’t play a single offensive snap.
During the week prior against the Washington Commanders, Cook played in just five snaps.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh gave Cook his vote of confidence on January 2.
“Dalvin has been great. I know this has been a hard season for him,” Saleh told reporters, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “I haven’t played professional football, but being around it, you know when a player is hurting and I know he’s hurting, but his story is not over. He still has plenty of juice in his legs, but he’s been great.”
Dalvin Cook Previously ‘Intrigued’ by Idea of Joining Cowboys
Cook was “intrigued” by the idea of joining the Cowboys at the trade deadline, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“Cook was intrigued by potentially playing for Baltimore or Dallas, I’m told, though neither team ever really entertained the perceived positional need at the deadline,” Fowler wrote in November. “Cook just wants to play, and maybe New York can still help him with that.”