Cook was a Vikings Pro Bowler four years in a row from 2019 to 2022. He was a fantastic running back.
Christian McCaffrey is dealing with a minor calf strain, and Dalvin Cook is a free agent; should the 49ers sign him?
Normally, the answer would be yes, because the 49ers have a lot of cap space and you can never have too many good players on a team. Cook also went to four straight Pro Bowls with the Vikings from 2019 to 2022. He was a fantastic running back.
But he’s 28 now, and he was terrible with the Jets this season, which is why he’s a free agent now. He’s averaging 3.2 yards per carry, which is a career low for him. And he was dissatisfied with being the
Cook would be a poor fit for the 49ers because he would have to be a backup. To be honest, he would be the team’s worst running back because McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, and Jordan Mason are all better than Cook at this point in his career. He’s done, no pun intended. Put a fork in him.
Cook’s rapid decline serves as a timely reminder to the 49ers that running backs age quickly. He rushed for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He was fantastic. He’s no longer playable.
Which brings us to McCaffrey, the league’s best running back right now. In June, he will turn 28. I’m not saying he’ll jump off a cliff like Cook, but you never know with these guys.