Dalvin

Cook

Active for the first time as a Raven, Cook’s first snap came in the second quarter. All eight of his handles came in fourth quarter clock-killing mode. In other words, Cook might affect Gus Edwards and Justice Hill’s playoff DFS value, but he is going to struggle to create any of his own.

It will be Cook’s Ravens debut after he was signed Week 18. Melvin Gordon was released during the week to create a place for Cook on the Ravens’ 46-man, game-day roster. The Ravens’ rushing attack has been a weak spot outside of Lamar Jackson, so we wouldn’t be surprised if Cook “surprisingly” mixes in for a handful of touches. He’s still a pure punt play in DFS leagues.

Less than 24 hours after cutting Melvin Gordon, the Ravens signed Cook from the practice squad to their active roster ahead of Saturday’s Divisional Round game against the Texans. The Ravens signed Cook following his release from the Jets in hopes of boosting their running back room, but how often the team plans to utilize him is anybody’s guess. We’d still expect Gus Edwards to handle the majority of early down rushes and goal-line attempts, but Cook should spell him in a backup role and could be the favorite to handle passing-down work.

Assuming he passes through waivers, Baltimore could bring Gordon back on their practice squad. The Ravens signed Dalvin Cook ahead of the playoffs and appear content with him as at least their RB3. John Harbaugh told reporters the team views Cook as “potentially a very valuable weapon,” so he could wind up being more than a reserve running back in the playoffs.

Harbaugh shot down the idea of Cook simply being an insurance option and noted that the veteran back looked good in practice on Wednesday. Cook is coming off a disastrous stint with the Jets. He averaged 3.2 yards per carry on 67 attempts and wasn’t particularly involved as a pass-catcher. Still, it sounds like he could eat into the roles of Justice Hill and Gus Edwards. Cook should slot in as the Ravens’ third back over Melvin Gordon for the playoffs, though he’s not on the radar for any postseason fantasy formats.

Cook’s agency announced the deal shortly after it was announced Cook had cleared waivers. The 28-year-old back will now have a chance to join a contender and could work his way into the Ravens’ running back rotation. Gus Edwards should continue to lead the Ravens’ backfield, but behind him is hit-or-miss veteran Justice Hill and Melvin Gordon, who has spent the season on Baltimore’s practice squad. Things didn’t go great for Cook in New York. He averaged 3.2 yards per carry and struggled to earn playing time for much of the season. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him earn RB2 duties behind Edwards and work in on passing downs, but it’s also possible this is little more than a “break glass in case of emergency” signing.

Cook is officially a free agent and can sign with any team interested in his services. Hoping to join a contender in time for the playoffs, Cook is unlikely to offer much contribution at this stage of his career. The veteran running back averaged just 3.2 yards per carry during his time with the Jets and struggled to see the field for the majority of the season. Teams like the Ravens, Rams, Chiefs, Bills, Cowboys, and Dolphins could opt to kick the tires on Cook, but he wouldn’t be more than an RB2 on any of those rosters.

According to Pelissero, this was a mutual decision so that Cook could look for an opportunity to play for a playoff team this year. As part of the deal, Cook is restructuring his current deal that will forfeit all remaining guarantees ahead of a mutual release. While Dalvin Cook’s name recognition makes this seem like a surprising move, he hasn’t really been a factor for the Jets in 2023, rushing just 67 times for 214 yards (3.2 yards per carry). He has only played 30 percent of the team’s snaps three times this year and only once since Week 3. Cook is unlikely to emerge as a bellcow back for any team he signs with, but of the teams that could make the playoffs the Ravens, Chiefs, Rams, Dolphins, and Vikings might be looking for help in the backfield. For the Jets, Cook leaves behind a small snap share but those snaps could be taken in Week 18 by rookie Israel Abanikanda as he looks to make his claim to the back-up spot in 2024.

Just like that, the Jets’ supposed plans to get Cook more involved have come to a screeching halt. That includes in last week’s surprising win over the Texans. Running in a broken offense, Cook has no standalone value and very little contingency value headed into the final two weeks of the fantasy playoffs.

Cook “added” a -5 yard reception and also tweaked his ever-troublesome shoulder. He did remain in the game. The Jets have been frustrated by Breece Hall, but the second-year pro out-touched Cook 18-8 in a 30-6 victory. Pro Football Focus charted Hall as out-snapping Cook 42-16 in Zach Wilson’s return under center. In other words, there is nothing to see here heading into Week 15 against the Dolphins, especially bye weeks are finally officially over, deepening the player pool.