12up Logo

3 Running Backs That Should Be Insulted by Dalvin Cook's Holdout

By Steven Kubitza

Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook is reportedly planning a holdout.
Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook is reportedly planning a holdout. / Rob Leiter/Getty Images

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is reportedly planning a holdout unless he get a new contract that pays him as one of the top at his position in the NFL. Cook entered the league with high expectations in 2017, but has dealt with injuries and finally became a 1,000-yard rusher in 2019.

The young running back wanting a new contract is fine. However, others who have proved more in the league may be insulted after putting up much better numbers than Cook, who has yet to even play a full 16-game season. If these guys aren't holding out, Cook has no right to.

3. Aaron Jones

Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones emerged as a top back in 2019.
Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones emerged as a top back in 2019. / Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Jones also entered the NFL in 2017 and has more career rushing yards than Cook. The Green Bay Packers running back had 1,084 yards and 16 touchdowns (which led the NFL) last season, but is only set to earn $2.1 million in 2020 on the final year of his deal. That's more than Cook, but the Vikings back does have higher career earnings. Jones has also put up solid numbers as a receiving back and is easily playing below his value in 2020.

2. Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara is one of the more dynamic backs in the NFL.
New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara is one of the more dynamic backs in the NFL. / Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

New Orleans Saints star Alvin Kamara is another back from the 2017 class and is one of the best. He has 2,408 career rushing yards and another 2,068 as a receiver. He is set to earn $2.1 million in 2020 and that is shockingly low based on his production. Kamara is a player who has actually put up the numbers and could force the Saints' hand with a holdout. But he's not, which makes Cook's stance a little bit exaggerated.

1. Derrick Henry

Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry emerged as a star in 2019.
Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry emerged as a star in 2019. / Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Derrick Henry deserves a mega-deal. The Tennessee Titans back led the league with 1,540 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 2019 after rushing for 1,059 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2018. This is before bringing up his 446 yards last postseason. He's now on a one-year, $10.2 million deal after being franchise tagged and is the one running back in the league that could actually hold out and demand to be the highest-paid player at his position. A comparison with Cook is not even close, especially since Cook was offered an extension that would pay him over $9 million per season!