Dalvin Cook is one of the most talented running backs in the National Football League (NFL) today. With his exceptional speed, agility, and power, he has become a key player for the Minnesota Vikings. But have you ever wondered when Dalvin Cook was drafted into the NFL? In this article, we will delve into the story of Dalvin Cook’s NFL draft journey and explore the events that led to him becoming a star player in the league.
The Early Life and College Career of Dalvin Cook
Before we dive into Dalvin Cook’s NFL draft story, let’s take a brief look at his early life and college career. Born on August 10, 1995, in Miami, Florida, Cook grew up in a family of athletes. His older brother, Deandre Burnett, played college basketball, and his younger brother, James Cook, is a running back for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Cook’s passion for football began at a young age, and he quickly became one of the top high school players in the country. He attended Miami Central High School, where he rushed for over 4,000 yards and scored 64 touchdowns in his three-year varsity career.
After high school, Cook received a scholarship to play for Florida State University. During his three-year tenure with the Seminoles, Cook established himself as one of the top running backs in college football. He rushed for over 4,500 yards, scored 46 touchdowns, and was named a consensus All-American in 2016.
The 2017 NFL Draft
The 2017 NFL Draft was one of the most highly anticipated drafts in recent memory. With a talented crop of players, including quarterbacks Mitchell Trubisky and Deshaun Watson, defensive end Myles Garrett, and running backs Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey, teams were eager to select their next franchise player.
Dalvin Cook was considered one of the top running backs in the draft, along with Fournette and McCaffrey. Despite concerns about his off-field behavior and durability, Cook was projected to be a first-round pick.
The First Round of the 2017 NFL Draft
The first round of the 2017 NFL Draft was held on April 27, 2017, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cleveland Browns selected Myles Garrett with the first overall pick, followed by the Chicago Bears selecting Mitchell Trubisky with the second overall pick.
As the first round progressed, teams began to select their top players. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Leonard Fournette with the fourth overall pick, and the Carolina Panthers selected Christian McCaffrey with the eighth overall pick.
The Minnesota Vikings Select Dalvin Cook
With the 41st overall pick in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Dalvin Cook. Despite being projected as a first-round pick, Cook fell to the second round due to concerns about his off-field behavior and durability.
The Vikings were thrilled to select Cook, who they believed had the potential to be a franchise running back. Cook was equally excited to join the Vikings, stating, “I’m glad to be a part of the Minnesota Vikings organization. I’m ready to get to work and help the team win.”
Dalvin Cook’s NFL Career
Since being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2017, Dalvin Cook has established himself as one of the top running backs in the NFL. In his rookie season, Cook rushed for 354 yards and scored two touchdowns in four games before suffering a season-ending ACL injury.
In 2018, Cook returned from his injury and rushed for 615 yards and scored two touchdowns in 11 games. He also caught 40 passes for 305 yards and scored two touchdowns.
In 2019, Cook had a breakout season, rushing for 1,135 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns in 14 games. He also caught 53 passes for 519 yards and scored one touchdown.
In 2020, Cook signed a five-year, $96 million contract extension with the Vikings. He went on to have another impressive season, rushing for 1,557 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns in 14 games. He also caught 43 passes for 361 yards and scored one touchdown.
Awards and Accolades
Throughout his NFL career, Dalvin Cook has received numerous awards and accolades. In 2019, he was named a Pro Bowl alternate and was selected to the NFL’s Second-Team All-Pro.
In 2020, Cook was named a Pro Bowl starter and was selected to the NFL’s First-Team All-Pro. He was also named the NFL’s FedEx Ground Player of the Year.
Records and Milestones
Dalvin Cook has set several records and achieved numerous milestones throughout his NFL career. In 2019, he became the first Vikings running back to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season since Adrian Peterson in 2015.
In 2020, Cook set a Vikings franchise record for most rushing touchdowns in a season with 16. He also became the first Vikings running back to rush for over 1,500 yards in a season since Peterson in 2012.
| Season | Rushing Yards | Rushing Touchdowns | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 354 | 2 | 11 | 90 | 0 |
| 2018 | 615 | 2 | 40 | 305 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1,135 | 13 | 53 | 519 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1,557 | 16 | 43 | 361 | 1 |
Conclusion
Dalvin Cook was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the 41st overall pick in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Despite concerns about his off-field behavior and durability, Cook has established himself as one of the top running backs in the NFL.
With his exceptional speed, agility, and power, Cook has become a key player for the Vikings. He has received numerous awards and accolades, including being named a Pro Bowl starter and being selected to the NFL’s First-Team All-Pro.
As Cook continues to play at an elite level, he is sure to set more records and achieve numerous milestones throughout his NFL career.
What is Dalvin Cook’s background in football?
Dalvin Cook is an American football running back who was born on August 10, 1995, in Miami, Florida. He grew up in a family of athletes and was exposed to football from a young age. Cook’s father, James Cook, was a former football player, and his brother, James Cook Jr., also played football. This exposure to the sport helped shape Cook’s passion for football and ultimately led him to pursue a career in the NFL.
Cook attended Miami Central High School, where he played football and was considered one of the top high school running backs in the country. He was a four-star recruit and received scholarship offers from several top colleges, including Florida State University, where he ultimately decided to attend. During his time at Florida State, Cook had a standout collegiate career, earning numerous accolades, including being named a consensus All-American in 2016.
What were Dalvin Cook’s college statistics?
During his three-year tenure at Florida State University, Dalvin Cook had an impressive collegiate career. He rushed for 4,464 yards, which is the second-most in school history, and scored 46 touchdowns. Cook also had 1,000 receiving yards and averaged 6.5 yards per carry. His impressive statistics earned him numerous accolades, including being named a consensus All-American in 2016.
Cook’s college statistics made him a highly sought-after prospect in the 2017 NFL Draft. His speed, agility, and elusiveness on the field made him a top prospect among running backs. Despite some concerns about his durability and off-field issues, Cook’s talent and potential made him a highly coveted player among NFL teams.
What was Dalvin Cook’s experience like in the 2017 NFL Draft?
Dalvin Cook was considered one of the top running back prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft. He was projected to be a first-round pick, but ultimately fell to the second round, where he was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 41st overall pick. Cook’s draft experience was marked by some uncertainty, as he had been expected to be a first-round pick.
Despite the uncertainty, Cook was thrilled to be selected by the Vikings and was eager to prove himself in the NFL. He has since spoken about the motivation he felt after falling to the second round, saying that it fueled his desire to work harder and prove himself as one of the top running backs in the league.
What has been Dalvin Cook’s NFL career like so far?
Dalvin Cook has had a successful NFL career so far, playing for the Minnesota Vikings since 2017. He has been a key player for the team, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2019 and being named a Second-Team All-Pro in 2020. Cook has rushed for over 3,500 yards and scored 33 touchdowns in his NFL career, establishing himself as one of the top running backs in the league.
Despite some injuries and setbacks, Cook has consistently performed at a high level, earning him a reputation as one of the most dynamic and explosive running backs in the NFL. He has also been praised for his work ethic and dedication to his craft, which has helped him to overcome adversity and achieve success in the league.
What are some of Dalvin Cook’s notable achievements?
Dalvin Cook has achieved numerous notable milestones throughout his NFL career. One of his most notable achievements was being named a Pro Bowl selection in 2019, which recognized him as one of the top running backs in the league. Cook has also been named a Second-Team All-Pro in 2020, which further solidified his reputation as one of the top players at his position.
In addition to these accolades, Cook has also set several franchise records for the Minnesota Vikings, including the most rushing yards in a single season. He has also been recognized for his community service and philanthropic efforts, including being named the Vikings’ Community Man of the Year in 2020.
What is Dalvin Cook’s current status in the NFL?
Dalvin Cook is currently a running back for the Minnesota Vikings, where he has played since 2017. He is considered one of the top running backs in the league and has been a key player for the Vikings. Cook has been working to stay healthy and continue to perform at a high level, and he is expected to remain a key contributor to the Vikings’ offense in the coming seasons.
Despite some rumors about his potential departure from the Vikings, Cook has expressed his commitment to the team and his desire to continue playing in Minnesota. He has also been working to mentor younger players and help develop the Vikings’ running back corps, which is expected to be a key part of the team’s offense in the coming seasons.
What is Dalvin Cook’s legacy in the NFL?
Dalvin Cook’s legacy in the NFL is still being written, but he has already established himself as one of the top running backs of his generation. His speed, agility, and elusiveness on the field have made him a fan favorite, and his work ethic and dedication to his craft have earned him the respect of his peers and coaches.
Cook’s legacy will likely be defined by his on-field accomplishments, including his numerous accolades and franchise records. However, he is also making a lasting impact off the field, through his community service and philanthropic efforts. As he continues to play and contribute to the Vikings, Cook’s legacy will only continue to grow, and he will be remembered as one of the top running backs in NFL history.