The Viking Age
FanSided

5 most independent players on the 2020 Minnesota Vikings roster

By Nik Edlund

CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 15: Middle linebacker Eric Kendricks #54 of the Minnesota Vikings forces a fumble by running back Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers allowing defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo #95 of the Minnesota Vikings to grab the ball and run for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 15, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 15: Middle linebacker Eric Kendricks #54 of the Minnesota Vikings forces a fumble by running back Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers allowing defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo #95 of the Minnesota Vikings to grab the ball and run for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 15, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

RB Dalvin Cook

Dalvin Cook is definitely a player who will benefit from great play around him. His numbers will no doubt be better if he has good offensive line play ahead of him. He will also do better if the Vikings’ offense has a passing game that keeps defenders guessing whether or not the play will be a run or a pass. Cook has also on many occasions, shown the ability to produce on his own when the blocking completely falls apart.

Cook has had plenty of gains off of runs that look like they are going nowhere. There have been numerous times where an offensive lineman misses a block and suddenly a defender is in the backfield. Cook has shown the ability to shake that defender in the backfield either with a quick juke, or just power through his tackle, and make positive yardage out of a play that looks like it’s going nowhere.

He also is great at improvising. If a defense correctly guesses which way a play is going to go, Cook can adjust and cut back the opposite way. He uses his amazing burst and speed to elude defenders and get around the edge, again turning a loss into a gain.

Dalvin Cook is a rare player who can make things happen on his own when the blocking around him collapses. While he does benefit from having solid play around him, his rare skill set allows him to be an independent weapon for the Vikings’ offense.

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