Can Dalvin Cook reach 2,000 all-purpose yards in 2020?
By Chris Schad
How much usage will Cook get next season?
Perhaps Mike Zimmer is the worst poker player in the world because everyone in the NFL knows his passion for running the football. John DeFilippo got canned during the 2018 season in part because he wouldn’t pound the rock and when Kevin Stefanski took over, the Vikings went from 27th in rushing attempts in 2018 to fourth in 2019.
Minnesota’s offense was more efficient because of this and with Gary Kubiak taking over in the wake of Stefanski’s departure to Cleveland, it’s possible that Cook could be ready to see even more work in 2020.
In 22 years as an offensive coordinator or head coach, Kubiak’s teams have ranked in the top 10 of rushing attempts in half of them. Although three of Kubiak’s last four seasons as a coach were on the other spectrum thanks to a lack of talent at running back and the presence of Peyton Manning under center.
This means it shouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that Cook is going to get the ball as much as he can handle in 2020 even if Alexander Mattison sees an upgraded role. As evidenced with Christian McCaffrey last season (who logged 403 touches in accomplishing the 2,000-yard feat), if there’s enough meat on the bone, it can be done.