Former NFL MVP expects Dalvin Cook to break out in 2019

Hall of Fame running back and current NFL Network analyst, Terrell Davis, believes the Minnesota Vikings talented rusher could be in for a big year.

After the Minnesota Vikings were able to add Florida State running back Dalvin Cook in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, many believed the team landed a big-time draft steal.

It appeared like Cook was going to prove he was worth more than where he was drafted during his first few games with the Vikings. But then he tore his ACL four weeks into his rookie year and he was lost for the rest of the entire 2017 season.

In 2018, Cook was hampered by a hamstring injury and it ended up forcing him to miss five of Minnesota’s games. Since he joined the Vikings, the young running back has only appeared in 47 percent of the team’s regular season matchups.

Heading into 2019, Cook is healthy and ready to get back to the form he displayed during the first few games of his rookie season.

Some believe that if he can avoid another significant injury, the Minnesota running back has the potential to be one of the top rushers in the NFL next season. Former NFL MVP and current NFL Network analyst Terrell Davis recently selected Cook as one of three young running backs who could break out in 2019.

"“Knowing (Gary) Kubiak’s history, (Dalvin) Cook should get a lot of opportunities this season, far more than the 133 carries he had in 2018. The third-year pro has the natural ability to be a top-10 running back, and we’ve seen glimpses of his talent in the last two seasons.With a healthy offseason under his belt and more than a year having passed since his knee injury, Cook will be a major player in the Vikings’ offense in 2019.”"

Davis is very familiar with the offensive scheme run by new Minnesota offensive advisor Gary Kubiak. The Hall of Fame running back was a member of the Denver Broncos from 1995 to 2001 when Kubiak was the team’s offensive coordinator.

So if Davis is saying that Cook has the potential to be very successful in the Vikings’ new offense next season, it’s something that should be taken seriously.

The key to the young Minnesota running back doing well in 2019 is obviously him being able to stay healthy. And so far, he hasn’t proven that he’s able to do that.