Jeff Darlington of ESPN is not surprised Dalvin Cook is joining the Miami Dolphins.

Can Miami enter the 2023 season with six running backs on the active roster?

• as if
  
  Jake Mendel
  

• on June 10, 2023 at 3:38 pm

Unable to find a trade partner for the four-time Pro Bowl running back, the Minnesota Vikings announced that Dalvin Cook has been released from the team on Friday.

Shortly after his release, Cook posted a picture on Instagram of himself celebrating at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins. On Thursday, Cook shared his big run against the Dolphins last October.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Thursday that the Dolphins and Denver Broncos were two teams expected to be interested in the four-time 1,000-yard rusher.

That said, ESPN NFL reporter Jeff Darlington, who spent six years covering the Dolphins for the Miami Herald, believes Miami signing Cook is a real possibility.

“It’s amazing that it’s possible,” Darlington said on ESPN’s NFL Live. “I was able to discuss Adam Schefter’s report on the fact that he feels Denver and Miami are still the front runners for Dalvin Cook’s services. Miami is the clear front runner. why? Let’s talk about smoke and fire when Delvin Cook posts his image [on Instagram] Hard Rock Stadium in celebration the day before he was about to hit free agency.

“I think this situation fits Dalvin Cook perfectly in Miami and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t end up in Miami at this point.”

After re-signing the entire 2022 running back class and drafting Devon Achan in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Dolphins have five running backs who could make the team’s Week 1 roster.

Rumors and reports linking Cook to the Dolphins won’t go away, and the franchise has the money to bounce back. Given Miami’s depth at the position and few players seeking new contracts, it’s up for debate if acquiring Cook is the most effective way for general manager Chris Grier to use the franchise’s remaining cap space.

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