Bottom Line

At 28, Cook’s near the cliff for most fantasy RBs.

He remained productive with the Vikings last year, but his PPR RB14 season (in points per game) came on 303 touches.

His only chance of hitting 300 touches is if Breece Hall goes down early in the season.

We’re looking for Hall’s workload to increase slowly. The Jets have maintained an upbeat tone on Hall’s ACL rehab, and he appears on track for the opener. Cook’s signing looks to be part of New York’s “all-in” mindset for 2023.

It leaves this backfield on the messy side. We’re ultimately not making either RB a priority target in 2023 drafts. Hall, at least, looks enticing for best draft drafting, where late-season weeks prove critical to your ROI.

What We Learned Last Year

-Cook suffered another shoulder dislocation, this time in October. He played through the injury but underwent surgery in February.

-Another shoulder dislocation (as well as a labrum tear) popped up in 2021.

-Cook played an entire season for the first time in his career.

-He delivered a fine fantasy performance, finishing 14th in PPR points per game.

-Cook’s underlying metrics were decent, too. Among 22 RBs with 200+ carries, he ranked 12th in Pro Football Focus’s Elusive Rating; 9th in yards after contact per attempt.

-Football Outsiders’ metrics paint a different picture, however. He finished 36th in DVOA; 33rd in success rate (both among 42 qualifiers).

-Cook was OK as a pass catcher, posting 7.6 yards per reception. His 0.75 yards per route run was below average at RB.

What to Expect in 2023

-The Vikings released Cook in June because of a bloated contract.

-He waited until August to sign with the Jets, who sought an upgrade to pair with RB Breece Hall (ACL). Cook will earn a hefty sum: $7 million in base salary.

-We’ll keep an eye on the health of Cook’s shoulder. The Jets figure to ease him into action following offseason surgery (and his history of shoulder trouble).

-Cook’s workload might peak early in the season given Hall’s injury status.

-Hall, who tore his ACL in October, was cleared to practice only on August 15. We’re expecting him to be ramped up slowly in season.

-The Jets’ environment looks strong overall, with QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Garrett Wilson leading the way.

-New York’s O-line looks like a potential weakness, though. Good injury luck could be critical for keeping this entire unit on track.