Aug 15, 20235 min read

Runnin’ To The Depths

Free Agent running-backs no more. Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliot are no longer out of work, as the star-studded backs are runnin' to the AFC East. Cook signed a 1YR/$8.6M deal with the Jets & Elliot is signing a 1 year deal worth up to $6M with New England. Both players seemingly bailed on their asking price in order to get with a team in time to prepare for week one. The Jets and Patriots, both have some impact from their signings.

Dalvin Cook is a New York Jet. Not like I didn't predict it or anything:

I sent that tweet shortly after the Jets announced that they restructured Aaron Rodgers' contract. I had a feeling they wanted to work something. Sure enough, they bolster their offense by adding former Viking Dalvin Cook, doing so without any real long-term investment (for now). Obviously Cook wasn't getting near his asking price with the Bills and Dolphins, he smartly reverted to signing a one-year prove it deal to join a good roster and more importantly- signing in time to learn a playbook and gel with his new teammates as he rehabs himself back into regular season shape, working with that shoulder.

Cook was spectacular in his tenure with the Vikings, making four Pro-Bowls in the past 4 seasons. Cook surpassed 1K in all 4 seasons and punched in 31 rushing toudys in a two-year span (2 in the playoffs). Now, Cook joins a team that has a fan base confident they are witnessing a franchise resurgence, joining Aaron Rodgers and Breece Hall in the Big Apple. For the price tag on Cook, do I really need to go into this being a bad move for the Jets? Because, it's obviously not... unless you are a Breece Hall touches, spokesperson.

How good can the 28 year old Cook be with the Jets offense? With Nathaniel Hackett as new OC, it's tough to guess, but there is absolutely potential. Last year was obviously a tough year in Denver for Hackett (Head Coach). Prior to Denver, Hackett spent three seasons in Green Bay as their offensive coordinator, with Rodgers. Two of the seasons saw Green Bay as a top 8-15 rushing attack, including an excellent year for Aaron Jones in 2019, as Jones ran over 1K and punched home 16 toudys on the ground. Hackett has shown balance, and shown he can really damage defenses on the ground: his 2017 (OC) Jacksonville Jaguars led the league in rushing behind Leonard Fournette. I don't have any fear of Cook failing in Hackett's offense. Sit down Sean Payton, no one asked you.

The sticky in the situation for Dalvin, is mister Breece Hall. The Jets LOVE him, and have him in their long-term plans if he can stay healthy. With Hall recovering from that ACL tear, and not expected to be at full health by week one: Cook signing is a million bucks. Cook gets all them touches to open the season, he's going to be a happy cat. Until the big bad dawg comes in wanting his share. Which is what Hall will get. Happy Jets, happy Jets fans, not going to be a happy Dalvin Cook. Alexander Mattison had 74 rushing attempts as Cooks backup in Minny, last season. Breece Hall is getting more than that! Will Cook handle it well? Being on a prove it deal, by week 5, Cook could face a possible reality that he will never get a big time contract again if he enters Free Agency next year as a shared back. The Kareem Hunt ordeal.

No way we get the Viking's Cook production from 2019-2020 with the Jets. Not with Hall in the picture. A great signing for the Jets, however. Very good. Cook should gel well with Aaron Rodgers, and again, I like him in a Hackett led offense. Hackett is no head coach, but he can be a real solid coordinator when he has talent on the charts. Jets get better and learned from the Le'Veon Bell contract.

After a long and successful tenure in Dallas, Ezekiel Elliot moves onto Foxborough as he inks a deal today to join the New England Patriots. I love this signing for both parties. The only people who suffer from this, is fantasy players. I'll get to that. For Elliot, job well done. I wasn't sure he was getting signed by week one, Zeke has vastly declined since 2019. Rightfully so, the Cowboys ran the dude in the ground, as Elliot had 1,169 carries in his first four seasons. Elliot simply can no longer be a down the field talent at RB, but he can absolutely be a pounder on short yard scenarios and down on the goal line. New England is the perfect fit.

The Patriots have their number one back in Rhamondre Stevenson, who surpassed 1K in his stellar second season. More notably, Stevenson had the 7th most receiving yards amongst running-backs (421), proving he can burn defenses in the air and on the ground. The Patriots are HIGH on him, and so am I. Stevenson's production won't take much of any hits with the Zeke signing. The only thing that would be affected is his touchdown totals, which only affects fantasy players- not the Patriots. Stevenson will still have his touches, probably more to be honest. Stevenson will have to look for toudys using YAC, a reality already in stone.

Stevenson only had 5 rushing touchdowns last season, the Patriots only had 12 in total as a team. Elliot had 12 touchdowns last season alone, and has 22 in the past two seasons. We see exactly what New England is looking for in the Elliot signing. Stevenson will get 'em there, and Elliot can punch it in. That's the idea, and I like it. Patriots' fans should like it. Three of the six Belichick Super Bowl dubs had a rusher on the team with 10+ toudys on the season, from the likes of Corey Dillon; LeGarrette Blount; and Antowain Smith. After being a top 4-8 rushing attack in 2020 & 2021, the Patriots were in the bottom 7 last season. I expect them to be more heavy on the ground with how they stand at QB right now. Patriots are looking for Stevenson and Elliot to play huge roles in the Patriots offense this season. Elliot is pointing at a return to wearing 15, and even faded his head to unleash a new look for his new team.

Both running-backs might be joining some packed RB rooms, but they aren't unemployed. They have the opportunity to earn reps and touches, and join two teams hoping to make themselves contenders in the AFC. Both fan bases should be excited to have two impactful players, rather in the past or now, join their favorite team for very little buck. From Free Agency to runnin' into the depths of a RB room.

Runnin’ To The Depths

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