On June 1st the Miami Dolphins will receive an extra $13.6 million in cap space thanks to the release of cornerback Byron Jones. There are a number of different ways the Dolphins could spend that money. They need reinforcements on the defensive line. The offensive line still has holes. Some players like Christian Wilkins, Connor Williams, and Zach Sieler deserve extensions. However, there has been a lot of chatter the last couple of months surrounding the Dolphins and running back Dalvin Cook. At the time this article is written, Cook is still under contract with the Minnesota Vikings so he will either need to be released or cut first. However, where there is smoke there is fire. Will Dalvin Cook be a Miami Dolphin?
Six teams are picking up cap space this Friday as a result of prior Post-June 1 designated releases:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 31, 2023
▫️Dolphins: $13.6M
▫️Browns: $10.915M
▫️Cowboys: $10.9M
▫️Commanders: $4M
▫️Broncos: $3.75M
▫️Cardinals: $3.215M
Some extra spending power soon available.
Dalvin Cook’s interest in Miami has been one of the league’s worst-kept secrets. After all, Cook grew up in Miami and was a Dolphins fan growing up. He still lives in Florida and trains there in the offseason (like a lot of professional athletes). There have also been hints from those that know Dalvin Cook that he has interest in playing for the Dolphins. That interest could be mutual. Early in the offseason there were rumors that the Dolphins and Vikings had trade talks surrounding Cook. There is also this tweet from Cook’s trainer (who is also Tua Tagovailoa’s trainer).
Let’s just sit back and watch what happens June 1
— Nick Hicks (@PER4ORM) May 24, 2023
The Miami Dolphins brought back their entire running back room from last year, plus drafted Devon Achane. On the surface, it may sound irresponsible or unnecessary to spend more resources on a running back for a team that is pass-heavy with star wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. Dalvin Cook isn’t just another running back though. Cook is four-time Pro Bowler and has produced four straight 1,000+ yard rushing seasons. He has also produced double-digit touchdowns in three out of the last four seasons. Cook is still only 27 years old. Adding a dynamic back like Cook would make the Dolphins’ offense more versatile and open up the field more for Hill and Waddle.
The Miami Dolphins had a top-10 offense last year without Cook and with Tua missing multiple games. Adding Dalvin Cook could take some of the weight off of Tua’s shoulders and help him stay healthy as well as improve the running game. An offense with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Dalvin Cook is great on paper. We’ll have to wait and see if Cook gets to fulfill his dream of being a Miami Dolphin.
Photo Credit: Ludvig Prütz-Olsson
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