The backfield is his for the taking
It’s not that Cook had an albatross in his way with Latavius Murray on the roster, but the path for Cook to seize the Vikings’ backfield has never been clearer than it is now.
Minnesota didn’t go out and sign an established free-agent running back this year to help Cook ease back into a workhorse role. The only addition to their backfield this offseason has been third-round draft pick Alexander Mattison.
With holdovers Mike Boone, Ameer Abdullah and Roc Thomas (for now) on the roster, Cook is clearly the alpha dog in the pecking order.
Since the Vikings want to run the ball a lot, Cook figures to be the main beneficiary and if he can stay healthy with an effective line in front of him, 2019 could be the year we see the all the hype come to fruition.