OWINGS MILLS — Dalvin Cook spent the early portion of practice talking to the Ravens’ assistant coaches.
It might take some time for the Ravens’ newly signed running back to get acclimated to his new team, but the expectations are that he can be a key contributor in the playoffs.
“We view [Cook] as a very valuable or potentially valuable weapon on our offense,” coach John Harbaugh said. “So, obviously, Dalvin Cook is a high-pedigree player – highly decorated player – and he still has talent and ability, and he’s smart. He’s in great shape, he’s in football shape. He’s been playing football [and] looked very good in practice out here today. So, I think he’s going to be a valuable part of our team and the playoffs here.”
Cook, 28, ran for more than 1,100 yards each of the past four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, who selected him in the second round (41st overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft from Florida State. He was a four-time Pro Bowler from 2019 through 2022.
The Vikings released Cook in June and he signed with the Jets as the main backup to Breece Hall, who rushed for 994 yards on 223 with five touchdowns this past season.
Cook ran for 214 yards and caught 15 passes for 78 yards in New York.
The Jets released Cook last week to allow him to sign with a playoff team and the Ravens pounced.
The Ravens’ current depth chart at running back consists of Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, and Melvin Gordon Jr. Cook has the pedigree to work himself into that rotation and become a valuable player for the Ravens in the postseason.
His new teammates are excited to have him in the fold.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson had tried to recruit Cook to Baltimore before the season, but he decided to sign with New York.
Now, Jackson will get to play with a fellow Florida native.
“He’s awesome,” Jackson said. “I’m really excited. I was happy about the situation. I reached out to him before the season when he was signing with the Jets before. God works in mysterious ways, and he’s here now. So, that’s cool.
“With our offense – the guys we have on offense, the offensive line we have, and [Cook] just being a dynamic player [that] he is – the sky’s the limit. There’s no limit for that. I don’t know. I believe when he gets his opportunity and his number’s called, he’s going to do what he does [which is] ‘Cook up.’”
