Let’s Get Cooking — The Denver Broncos should trade for Dalvin Cook

Good morning, Broncos Country.

Yesterday I wrote about the state of the Broncos’ running back stable. Overall, I gave the room a C+ grade due to lack of depth and the lingering injury concerns over Javonte Williams. I think Samaje Perine is a solid number two back and I do think Tyler Badie does offer some promise.

But what would happen if Williams’ recovery doesn’t go as planned and Perine were to somehow miss time with injury? Would we really be comfortable with the slate of players behind them playing a significant role for this team?

I certainly wouldn’t. And even though the Broncos would have to get creative with the cap to make it work, I truly believe the Broncos should swing for the fences and trade for Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook.

What do they have to lose? A middle-round draft selection—perhaps a few Day 3 selections? Big deal. That’s a small price to pay for a running back whose embarked on four-straight Pro-Bowl seasons and excels at rushing and receiving.

It’s true that Sean Payton has a tremendous job getting production out of most players at the position in his tenure with the New Orleans Saints. The list of names is quite long and reminiscent of what Mike Shanahan was able to do with virtually any back that stepped into a starting role all those years ago. That might lead many to believe that making a move for Cook wouldn’t be worth it.

“He will find a way with the guys we have now.”

Maybe. But why not take a shot, acquire one of the league’s best talents at the position and get serious about competing in the AFC West? Why not get a proven commodity who can help Denver get to the playoffs and become serious contenders for the Lombardi Trophy?

I’m really high on Denver’s receiving corps (and that article is dropping soon), but can you imagine how much having Cook in the Mile High City would open things up for offensively? I’m not to worried about having a log-jam of talent at the position. As far as any of us know, Javonte Williams might never be the same player again. And who knows if Perine, Badie, or anyone else can step up and excel this season.

But I do know this, the Broncos acquiring Dalvin Cook gives them an explosive player who can help transcend an offense that has been awful for years now. And if all that costs is a few middling draft picks and some cap creativity it’s well worth the gamble.

I’m not sure how you guys feel about it, but I’d love to hear what you have to say in the comments.

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