Vikings selected Florida State RB Dalvin Cook with the No. 41 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
Cook (5’10/210) broke Warrick Dunn’s FSU rushing record in just three seasons, piling up 4,464 yards on 687 carries (6.50 YPC) with 46 TDs and 79 catches. While known best for his big-play runs, Cook showed workhorse ability with 17 games of 20-plus carries and shined as a receiver, averaging 11.8 career yards per catch. Extremely difficult to tackle in space, Cook finished No. 1 in PFF College’s 2016 Elusive Rating. Cook confirmed his long speed (4.49) in Indy, but struggled in agility drills. Cook’s biggest drawbacks are his injury history after three career shoulder surgeries and ball security after he fumbled 14 times on 763 touches, including six fumbles in 2016. Still, Cook projects as an early-career lead back with three-down potential. Rotoworld draft analyst Josh Norris has compared him to DeAngelo Williams. In Minnesota, Cook becomes the likely Week 1 starter ahead of Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon.