The Bengals Should Consider Dalvin Cook for RB Depth | Free Agent Bargain?

The Cincinnati Bengals have made plenty of changes to their roster through free agency and the NFL draft. As training camp approaches, the Bengals would be wise to take a look at former Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook. Cook is a free agent after a short campaign with both the New York Jets and the Baltimore Ravens. He spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings, where he was named to the Pro Bowl four times.
James Rapien discusses how Cook could be a great addition to Zack Moss and Chase Brown as the Bengals continue to build their offense around quarterback Joe Burrow for the 2024 regular season.
Support our local sponsor!
Visit Online at www.rivertowninkery.com
Visit Rivertown Inkery - A Boutique Clothing and Design Brand Based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Classic, Timeless & Cincinnati-Inspired Designs.
Visit the Shops at 3096 Madison Rd suite 1w, Cincinnati, OH 45209
or in downtown Cincinnati at 1808 Race St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Follow James on social media!
Twitter: / jamesrapien
Facebook: / jamesrapienbengals
Instagram: / cincybengalstalk
Andrew Miller @andrewfoxmiller on Twitter, Instagram.
#Bengals #NFL

[@tomjones7729]

I wish they would have kept mixon personally he elevated the morale and always worked the crowd will definitely miss him one of my all time favorite players be always went out of his way to sign autographs and other functions

[@TaylorPort]

Workin with the crowd don’t do nothing for what happens on the field

[@TripleG12398]

fr

[@JordanT3025]

He wasn’t explosive enough.

[@alfredwoodard]

The problem with Mix is that he is not explosive and more importantly not good at blocking. Burrow needs as much protection as possible.

[@americassports]

I will always appreciate Mixon for his great work in Cincinnati. But, it was time to move on. If we had signed Mixon again, we likely would not have signed Moss as well. This way makes us younger at RB with a solid vet as the #3 in Cook.

[@jharp08]

Why not hold on to Mixon then? P

[@stefanhoffmann807]

Money 💰

[@desmonddaly484]

I would love this signing. 1 year 2.5 million. Sign me up. Get a vet corner. Get an another vet interior lineman… then you can’t really complain from a roster building standpoint.

[@americassports]

100%

[@christophercrowley9535]

Everybody wanted Mixon gone but you wanna bring this guy in? From the same draft class, a lot more injury & fumble prone? Make it make sense.

[@buttered_pancakes]

The money could be better spent on other positions, they have decent depth at running back and two younger more explosive players than cook

[@tmartin8888]

Trayveon has had years to show he can be a starting back and hasn’t done it. The Bengals think he’s a capable pass blocker and good special teamer. Evans’ value is only as a special teamer, I don’t think he’s had any snaps the past two years. I like Chase Brown a lot and the Bengals feel good about Moss, but the Bengals plan to deploy them as a RB by committee. If either Brown or Moss miss time (and both were injured last year, Moss has been injured almost every year in the league), we’re not in a good spot. Tray and Evans are role players, not starting quality RBs. I don’t get why you’d be against bringing in a proven vet on a minimal deal as an insurance policy. I don’t want Trayveon Williams or Chris Evans out there on third down missing their blitz pickup and getting Joe hurt, let alone trust them to help us win games.

[@americassports]

Of course they should! Who wouldn't like to add more depth? That's one helluva #3 IMO

[@TripleG12398]

if that is the case, then they should have just kept joe mixon on the roster and have him take a paycut smh.

[@americassports]

@@TripleG12398 not necessarily. I love Mixon and what he has done for the organization. But if that had happened, we likely would not have Moss. Moss will have a very solid season. This way, we can get younger and bring in Cook as a great #3 in case of injury.

[@bentientcheu1853]

No RB needed. The Bengals don't run the ball anyways, they've had the same predictable offense for a while.

[@skenodaboss6104]

Ha washed and trash a waste of money

[@TripleG12398]

@@americassports bro what?😂😂😂the bengals are in the top half of the league in cap space and they was top 10 in cap space throughout the entire offseason until recently. they could have signed zach moss without getting rid of joe mixon. they just chose to do that, but they didn't have to.

[@dm8064]

They need one of the unsigned veteran CB free agents and a nose tackle when waivers happens. They have two udfa rbs for depth.

[@TheofficialGranted]

Never have I ever thought we should pass up on someone like this, we’re just finally good I guess

[@brianharless4155]

Man I Really would like to see them give Chris Evans a shot tho.

[@timbush722]

Me too man. He's electric Everytime they give him a chance .

[@geraldparrish1625]

Here, here! That is two of us. Something is off about the whole Chris Evans thing. Why aren’t they playing him? Why not trade him? Why not use him as the kick returner? He seems to be the idea candidate for the job. With Mixon now gone and Perine long gone. Why can’t he get on the field? With the limited opportunities he has had it seems like he produces. So what gives?

[@UKSportsFan]

I would bet the bank that Jeff Wilson will be available for the Bengals to sign at some point in the next month or so. Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane, and they drafted Jaylen Wright.....yeah, Wilson will be there and somebody will grab him. He'd be the perfect third back to pair with Moss and Brown.

[@tannermikal2]

Calvin could be a great fit and not have to carry the load! deep into fall & winter games…. shoot that’s perfect fill in for those type of ground & pound days

[@johngriffith2028]

You have backs live Evans on the roster they don't even use. They should add one more but also use who got.

[@honestfan420]

Should have just kept Mix.

[@gothard5]

When did Dalvin Cook ever play for the Ravens?

[@chrisadams8182]

Couple weeks at the end of last season.

[@geraldparrish1625]

Never. He was drafted by the Vikings. Went free agent to the Jets last season. Or was he released and picked up?

[@chrisadams8182]

@@geraldparrish1625 The Jets released him with a couple weeks left in the season. He signed with Baltimore for the remainder of the year. He hardly played.. if any.

[@delmerlamb8349]

We got chase brown we’re good

[@geraldparrish1625]

He is rb#2. I love to see Chris Evans get a honest to goodness shot. I mean they obviously are holding on to him for some reason or another.

[@AnthonyMancuso-pt4ru]

Definitely need to add a 3rd committee rb. A big hole. But not Dalvin Cook please..Hes shot.

[@ronwright3324]

Nope. We could have kept Mixon in this case! Mixon knows the offense and is great in the locker room.

[@JasonLove-ko6lu]

What about Jerrick McKinnon?

[@ianlowe9220]

Get Calis Cambell and Gilmore...

[@TripleG12398]

hell nah! if that is the case, then they should have just kept joe mixon on the roster and have him take another paycut. he took a paycut last offseason and really wanted to win a superbowl with the bengals so I'm pretty sure he would be willing to do it again if he stayed smh. he literally calls this place "home"

[@SmokyTheGoaty]

Mixon was willing to take a paycut, he was not willing to take vets minimum. Lol big difference bro.

[@americassports]

Noooo If Bengals had signed Mixon, they likely don't also sign Moss.

[@bentientcheu1853]

​@@SmokyTheGoatyEveryone only looks at Mixon but what about Hubbard who makes $10 mil/year and doesn't do anything?

[@SmokyTheGoaty]

@bentientcheu1853 10m a year for a de isn't bad. He was playing hurt last year. I doubt they extend him. Murphy probabley take his spot.

[@TripleG12398]

@@SmokyTheGoaty considering mixon is currently way better than dalvin cook, it's really not a big difference lol😂😂😂

[@Voxisthename]

Bro we don’t need another RB. If so they would have got one in the draft.

[@Montrovantis]

No. Not really. Offensive lines make the rushing game and the team needs a CB. Sign a LG or a CB or both.

[@williamhouse8602]

Who Dey 🤘🤘🤘

[@ajm82]

Heck no

[@nathanalvarado4294]

I think Dalvin on practice squad not signed. Or sign if moss goes down

[@skenodaboss6104]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@brandonwhodeyer8531]

If he wants to come here for a mil or few sure and chase a ring but if he's after money then no

[@user-ls9dq2un8b]

Woh day

[@charlesh1735]

Was it Ace Boogy from the Wincinnati pod that you had a conversation with about Dalvin Cook? I know Dalvin Cook is his guy coming out of Florida State that year. I think the Bengals drafted Joe Mixon over Dalvin Cook in the 2017 NFL draft,which the Bengals could have taken Cook over Mixon.

[@JosephGross17]

I would take Mixon over cook all day long. He's a better pass catching RB and very rarely fumbled. His only knock is his blocking but i loved Mixon and sad he's gone.

[@BengalsTalk]

One has nothing to do with the other. Mixon was never playing for $1 million this season lol

[@blueblazer201]

Please stop using 'cheap' options. How about "affordable" or better yet... "cap friendly"! None of these players are cheap, even at league minimum or veteran minimum, they are expensive!

[@BengalsTalk]

No. They aren’t lol. Veteran minimum is cheap lol

[@blueblazer201]

@@BengalsTalk If they're so 'cheap'... then pay them from your lemonade stand! :D

[@teddyking6563]

I still feel uneasy about the rb situation. I love to rewatch old games and I don't think people realize how good mixon was in big games, especially when the game was on the line and you needed him to keep the chains moving.

[@alfredwoodard]

Yes, but not do much when big games are on the line. His lack of yardage puts pressure on Burrow to throw, potentially him getting hit.

[@teddyking6563]

@@alfredwoodard the Bengals chose to be a pass first offense. That's why the yardage isn't there, even though the yardage was still kinda there. The important thing was he never fumbled the ball and always grinded out the tough yards when we needed them most. This was also behind a porous offensive line. Leadership and team moral was another strong suit of his. He's gone now and I wish him well as long as it's not against us. I'll ride with the guys we got but I did trust him. The new guys haven't earned that yet.

[@ironmanxrp4980]

??? They got rid of mixon why would they pick up cook??? No no no he is washed and would be expensive...

[@Muzzlecrowe-li9kt]

Let moss and brown cook

[@justinsmith9365]

I see what you did there 😏

[@geraldparrish1625]

And add in Evans.

[@DaveysWonderfulWorld]

I’d say yes with him alongside Zack Moss the running back duo would be insane

[@craigharris41]

They have Brown

[@TripleG12398]

if they really wanted dalvin cook, then they should have just kept joe mixon

[@DaveysWonderfulWorld]

@@craigharris41yea but he’s not great

[@TripleG12398]

@@DaveysWonderfulWorld if you watched the bengals play weeks 13-18, you would realize that he is really good. they definitely should use chase brown in the rotation

[@geraldparrish1625]

@@TripleG12398I think that is exactly what they are going to do.

[@hardydude69]

NO!

[@bakedogg98]

If they can get Cook on the cheap, it just doesn't make sense for the Bengals to not bring him in and see what he has left in the tank. The cap space they have doesn't carry over it's not the ATnT roll over plan they should absolutely bring in a few vets that they can potentially get on cheap deals to add some experience and depth to the roster and if nothing else they can help coach up these young cubs "pun intended" for the big moments late in the season nd into tye playoffs before if the Bengals are gonna win the Bowl they are going to need some of the young guys to play some big minutes down the stretch

[@Colorsareblue]

This would be a Texans signing Devin sigltery last year I think there’s a hole of losing joe mixion and cook would help the team

[@tylerneeley3885]

Yeah baby!

[@SwarmDTA]

Maybe. Wouldnt hate it, but I have a feeling he might be washed. Bring him in for the third back spot, like you said, and give it a go. Sure.

[@geraldparrish1625]

I think we have our #3 in Traveon Williams. But our real #3 is Chris Evans. Hopefully this is the season they find it out.

[@stefanhoffmann807]

bengals don’t make those moves

[@brandonjones6622]

Idk if I’ve seen anyone fumble more in the last like 10 yrs of football other than my man cook. Start talking tee for deebo instead😂

[@dantheman5745]

With an absolute beast like Chris Evans on the roster, why would we be looking at some guy whose only career highlight is being named to the Pro Bowl 4 times?

[@williamhouse8602]

I trust Cook more than I do Williams as #3

[@YnlChriss2Coldd]

Honestly could battle for 2 wit moss as a vet we have a couple young studs at the position already chase nd the UDFA definitely got spark to em

[@geraldparrish1625]

True that but I think it’s time to give Chris Evans a real shot.

[@brianharless4155]

If they sign him he would be the best RB on the team but I don't see it happening.