Team news: Dallas Cowboys | Page 12

The only change that has happened within the last few weeks is the Vikings’ addition of UAB running back DeWayne McBride in the seventh round of the draft.

While it’s easy to salivate over McBride’s early-down potential, his learning curve will be steep. Pass protection assignments will require study. The Vikings also have faith in Alexander Mattison, whom they re-signed in free agency, and Ty Chandler, whom the team drafted in 2022.

Dalvin Cook has dealt with injuries through most of his NFL career, including an offseason surgery to repair a shoulder injury. An interested team would have to take on his contract which currently makes him the fourth-highest paid RB I'm the league.

He is currently ranked outside of the top-12 RBs in 4for4's rankings.

Per Breer, "Another name to watch as a potential trade target this weekend would be Dalvin Cook. The Vikings have been communicative with their star tailback—and receptive to the idea of bringing him back—but it just won’t happen at the rate of $11 million he’s due this fall."

Related Players: Alexander Mattison, Kene Nwangwu

Breer goes on to say that the Vikings haven't shopped Cook, but if they land a running back in the first two days, Cook could be gone by the weekend. In this scenario, they will likely land a talent superior to that of Alexander Mattison, which hurts his value just as much as it helps. A third-round RB in Minnesota would be an immediate fantasy asset.

The 49ers have received inquiries from several teams looking into a potential trade for former No. 3 pick QB Trey Lance. The conversations have been the result of SF fielding the calls, not making them, with teams aware that Brock Purdy is likely the future starter.

Rapoport went on to say, "While no trade is imminent, and the 49ers would almost certainly want to make sure Brock Purdy's rehab continues to go as smoothly as it's been going, the interest from other teams in Lance has been there."

It looks as though Purdy will be the locked-in starter if he's healthy by Week 1.

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook was recently in Minnesota for a post-surgery checkup on his shoulder and is said to be making excellent progress, per sources. Cook played the last three seasons while protecting the injured shoulder, which is now 100% stable and stronger.

Related Players: Alexander Mattison

If Cook is still on the trading block, it will be in the best interests of both himself and the Vikings to pump the positive news about his oft-injured shoulder. The running back has the fourth-highest cap hit on a team that is just barely below the cap as it is. The team recently re-signed backfield-mate Alexander Mattison to a two-year, $7M contract that could give us an idea of their future plans.

Mattison has performed decently in Cook's absences in the past, but doesn't have the prerequisite skill to truly hold a bellcow role.

49ers GM John Lynch with the biggest endorsement of QB Brock Purdy as a starter yet: "I think Brock has earned the right with the way he played that he’s probably the leader in the clubhouse at that...if we were to line up, he’d probably take that first snap."

Related Players: Trey Lance

Purdy performed admirably when given the chance last season, but this is far from the last we are going to hear about the 49ers' quarterback situation. Stay tuned.

The Cowboys have agreed to a deal with RB Ronald Jones, who visited The Star Monday. Jones spent last year with KC after a four-year run with Tampa Bay.

Related Players: Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis

Ronald Jones logged 40 snaps on a 2022 Chiefs team that was looking for a consistent answer at the running back position all year long. There is a very good chance that Jones is back in free agency by the time Summer comes along.

As the status of Cardinals star WR DeAndre Hopkins comes into focus, talks are ramping up among the interested teams. Similar to Brandin Cooks, a trade would likely mean an altered contract.

Related Players: Marquise Brown

Hopkins will obviously demand a high target share, so wherever he goes, it will be at the expense of another wide receiver's volume. Back in Arizona, Hollywood Brown could operate as more of a WR1 but we still aren't sure who will be throwing him the ball in the beginning of the year.

The Texans are signing TE Dalton Schultz to a one-year deal worth up to $9 million. Schultz has 198 catches and 17 TDs over the past three seasons in Dallas. He’s still only 26.

Related Players: Brevin Jordan, Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot

So Schultz will remain in Texas and provide another option for the future 2nd-overall pick. The Texans have had intriguing names at the position over the years but never one that has consistently produced for fantasy. Hopefully Schultz changes that.

Wanting to add speed and a complement to Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb, the Dallas Cowboys acquired Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks on Sunday for a fifth-round pick in 2023 and a sixth-round pick in 2024.

Related Players: Michael Gallup, Nico Collins, Robert Woods, Noah Brown

As the luster has worn off of Michael Gallup as the Cowboys' WR2, Dallas looks to add a compliment to CeeDee Lamb. Last year's offseason additions, James Washington and Jalen Tolbert, combined for two receptions on the season. Cooks should have some useful fantasy games but is still currently ranked as a WR4.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on 1053thefan on what looked like a Dak Prescott knee injury last night: “He’s in good shape. He might have hyperextended it a little bit. We were checking with the sideline, and we knew he was going to be good.”

Prescott never missed any time in the game, but he was noticeably grabbing at his knee and walking gingerly at one point. He had at least one scramble after the possible "hyperextension," so, hopefully, he's in good shape through the rest of Dallas' season.