Dalvin Cook Trade Rumors: Vikings Eye Draft Picks; Want Money for Franchise Players

The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly not ready to give up Dalvin Cook without compensation.

Alec Lewis of The Athletic reported Minnesota wants draft picks and "money to spend on its franchise cornerstones" as it discusses deals for Cook, who has drawn interest from teams such as the Miami Dolphins.

The Vikings have been exploring an exit for the four-time Pro Bowler for months. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported Minnesota "came very close" to reaching a deal with the Dolphins in March. Miami has since pivoted to retaining veterans Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson while also using a third-round pick on Texas A&M running back Devon Achane.

The Dolphins may still have interest in Cook, but it's likely that's somewhat waned as they've fortified their roster. It seems particularly unlikely that Miami would give up significant draft-pick compensation for a running back who's seemingly out of favor in Minnesota.

Kevin Seifert of ESPN reported it "seems likely if not completely certain" Cook has played his last down with the Vikings. The team is seemingly comfortable moving forward with Alexander Mattison as the lead back, with Breer writing the Vikings view Cook "as an explosive complement" to Mattison if they were to bring him back.

It's certain the Vikings have little interest in paying Cook the $10.4 million base salary he's owed for 2023. The market was not kind to running backs in March, and it's a borderline certainty Cook would take a pay cut in free agency—hence some level of urgency on his end to take a trade if one was given.

In that sense, it's a bit strange for the Vikings to seemingly want to move on from Cook while at the same time trying to dictate price. They should be happy with getting a conditional middle-round pick if they're so determined to move on.