Cowboys repeat foolish mistake with dumb Dalvin Cook signing

The Dallas Cowboys under Jerry Jones have often been criticized for eyeing flashy star names over players who could be more productive. While the relative regular season success of the Dak Prescott era has helped alleviate some of those tendencies, Jones couldn't help himself with Dalvin Cook.

Just a few months after bringing back Ezekiel Elliott despite the fact it is clear he has lost a step or two, the Cowboys decided to bring in another veteran running back to their committee. Rather than get someone more productive, Jones is rolling the dice on Cook's name value.

Cook will originally report to the Cowboys practice squad in order to ramp up to game speed before getting promoted to the active roster. These kinds of signings are everything the Cowboys should not be doing, especially in such a pivotal 2024 season.

Cook is not the Pro Bowl player he was with the Minnesota Vikings. He is slower, much less effective between the tackles, and nonexistent as a blocker. The Cowboys will soon be introduced to just how quickly Cook's play has declined since his Pro Bowl days with the horn on the side of his helmet.

Cowboys pull off ill-informed signing of washed Dalvin Cook

Cook mustered just 214 rushing yards with the New York Jets last season, who instantly realized Cook had lost a step. After one thoroughly average game with the Ravens, Baltimore decided not to retain him despite their need for a quality backup behind Derrick Henry.

Cook's decline is much sharper and much more concerning than Elliott's recent poor run of form. Elliott may not be as fast as he was, but he is still a great blocker, worthwhile pass-catcher, and bulldozer between the tackles. Cook's entire game was speed, and losing that speed leaves him without his biggest weapon.

The Cowboys have messed up their running back room from the start this offseason, choosing to rely on a collection of youngsters and aging veterans who lack any star power or consistency. If Jones thinks Cook is going to be anything more than a lottery ticket, and will be someone who can stabilize the backfield, it's, quite frankly, baffling.

With the Jets largely being cast out of the public eye after the Aaron Rodgers injury, the nation didn't see just how noticeable Cook's fall was. With the Cowboys, Cook's inability to become the 1,000-yard rusher he was in Minnesota will be televised for the world to see.