New York Jets reportedly have a surprising level of interest in Dalvin Cook

Dalvin Cook remains one of the top NFL free agents available heading into training camp more than a month after being released by the Minnesota Vikings. Now, the market for the Pro Bowl runner appears to be heating up slowly.

Cook was released on June 9 after Minnesota determined it wanted to move forward with Alexander Mattison. Immediately upon being cut, Cook became a free agent and drew interest some several teams around the league.

Dalvin Cook career stats: 5,993 rushing yards, 1,794 receiving yards, 52 total touchdowns, 4.7 yards per carry in 73 games

However, Cook remains unsigned six weeks later and hasn’t taken a visit with a single team. With training camp closing in, though, it appears one suitor is reportedly far more interested in signing Cook than first realized.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Jets’ interest in signing Cook is more “than most realize.” Even with Hall returning early this fall, New York is genuinely interested in adding Cook to its backfield.

Unsurprisingly, the Miami Dolphins remain in the mix for Cook. He’s long been connected to his hometown team and there’s mutual interest between the two sides. However, Cook’s asking price on a new contract in combination with his regression have impacted his market.

According to Next Gen Stats, Cook ranked 32nd in yards created per touch (2.4), 30th in breakaway run rate (4.5%) and 37th in true yards per carry (4.1). Furthermore, his yards after contact per attempt dipped from 2.4 (2020) to 1.9 (2021) and finally 1.8 this past season.

It explains a big part of the reason why Cook remains unsigned. He still wants to be one of the highest-paid running backs in 2023, but teams no longer view him as an everyday player who can handle a featured workload.

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If the Jets sign Cook, he would split touches with Hall and Michael Carter. While Cook has never handled fewer than 282 touches in a season over the last three years, New York would make him part of a committee backfield to ease the workload on Hall in his first year back from an ACL tear.

Ultimately, it’s possible Cook’s choice comes down to the Jets and Dolphins with money and opportunities playing decisive factors in his decision. While Miami has been viewed as the favorite to sign him, an aggressive offer from the Jets could allow them to steal Cook from an AFC rival.