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The Minnesota Vikings were reluctant to utilize their rushing attack in 2018. This may have been due to Dalvin Cook being injured for a good portion of the season.
The Vikings organization is hoping for Cook to remain on the field in 2019 so their offense can hopefully flourish. After all, they need it to after paying Kirk Cousins $84 million over three years.
Coming into 2018, some believed that the Vikings would roll along during the regular season en route to winning the NFC North. That proved to be naught as they went 8-7-1 and missed the playoffs entirely.
To say the 2018 season was a disappointment is an understatement. Having an offense that has Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, Kyle Rudolph, and Cook should yield better results.
Cook is more important than people may think. Minnesota selected Cook with the 41st overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft in hopes he'd become their franchise running back.
He hasn't had the chance to fully prove his worth yet due to injuries and other factors. In 2019, he will need to make his mark and show that he is exactly what the Vikings are looking for at the running back spot.
Here are three way-too-early bold predictions for Dalvin Cook in 2019.
3. 50+ Receptions
One of the most underrated aspects of Cook's game is his ability to be a weapon in the passing game. Last season, Cook had 40 receptions for 305 yards and two touchdowns.
What makes those numbers semi-impressive is the fact that he only started in 10 games. You can also attribute that to the fact that the Vikings were pass-happy in 2018.
When you pay a quarterback “Cousins money,” your kind of pressured into throwing it more often. That trend will likely continue, at least in a sense, in 2019.
As a result, Cook should continue to see more and more opportunities as a pass catcher. Cook will exceed 50 receptions in the upcoming season if he stays healthy.
2. 10+ Rushing Touchdowns
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With the Vikings naming Kevin Stefanski as their offensive coordinator this offseason, we should see an improvement in the offense. Stefanski was the quarterback's coach before being promoted to interim offensive coordinator last season when Minnesota fired John DeFilippo.
Stefanski will likely want to use Cook more often and create a balanced offensive scheme. Therefore, scoring opportunities should be endless for skill position players.
In 2018, Minnesota ranked 20th in rushing offense but things were better when Stefanski was calling the plays. Furthermore, Cook had both of his rushing touchdowns in 2018 when Stefanski was the offensive coordinator.
Cook also had only two rushing touchdowns in his rookie year in 2017. That number will be minuscule compared to the number of touchdowns he scores on the ground in 2019.
1. Cook Will Start in All 16 Games
This is easily one of the boldest predictions you can make when it comes to Dalvin Cook. Injuries have plagued Cook since his college days at Florida State and have carried over into the NFL.
In 2017, Cook tore his ACL just four games into the season. His season ended prematurely but he was ready to bounce back in a big way in 2018.
The Vikings' running back started the 2018 season off slow, rushing for just 98 yards in his first three games. Cook would suffer a hamstring injury that would linger throughout the rest of the season.
Due to the injury, Cook missed five games and would come back in Week 9. He never really got going consistently, but did show flashes of being a dynamic back in the final nine weeks.
To the surprise of many, Cook will start in all 16 games in 2019. At least we all hope so, as Cook deserves to get a chance to prove to people just how good he really is.
