The Minnesota Vikings top rusher has a strong case as the best running back in the NFL.
In today’s NFL, nobody gets less respect than the running back position. With the success that the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots have had by shuffling running backs, the days of a true workhorse are gone. Last offseason, however, the Minnesota Vikings had a different approach to the position.
With Dalvin Cook heading into a contract year, the Vikings opted to give him a five-year, $63 million extension. Although he plays an important role in Minnesota’s offense, the deal was met with some resistance due to the current landscape of the league.
Even as the Vikings stand at 2-5 this season, Cook has proven his worth throughout the early stages of the contract. After a four-touchdown, 226-yard performance against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Cook is making a case that he’s the best running back in the NFL right now.
In this piece, we’ll look at some of the things that have made Cook one of the best at his position and why he should be considered the gold standard at a position that has dried up in recent years.