Minnesota Vikings Week 1: Who to watch vs. the New Orleans Saints

Dalvin Cook, RB

Not only is Cook playing in his very first NFL regular season game on Monday, but will also be in the starting lineup for the Vikings when they hit the field for their first offensive drive of the night.

Thanks to other players being injured, Cook was given a ton of opportunities this offseason to prove himself worthy and the result ended with Minnesota naming the rookie their starting running back for Week 1. Cook will be the Vikings’ starting running back not named Adrian Peterson since the 2007 season.

The first test for Minnesota’s rookie will be against a Saints’ defense that gave up the fourth most rushing touchdowns to their opponents in 2016. Cook was no stranger to the end zone during his college days at Florida State (48 career touchdowns), so he be will looking to continue that relationship on Monday night in his matchup with New Orleans.