Dalvin Cook continues to impress during Vikings training camp workouts

August 3, 2017 at 11:58PM
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) handed the ball off to s running back Dalvin Cook (33) during practice.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) handed the ball off to s running back Dalvin Cook (33) during practice. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Officially, the Vikings plan to employ the services of all three of their running backs — Latavius Murray, Dalvin Cook and Jerick McKinnon — in their effort to succeed Adrian Peterson.

But if things play out the way they have in the first week of training camp, when Cook has received most of the work, it doesn't sound as if the Vikings would have any concerns with turning things over to the second-round pick.

Cook has taken the majority of the Vikings' first-team snaps with Murray still recovering from offseason ankle surgery and McKinnon limited because of injury, and the Florida State product's strengths — his quickness, vision and receiving ability — have been as good as advertised.

It's been in the less-celebrated areas of his game, though — particularly his pass protection — where Cook has perhaps stood out the most.

"He's got a great background in it," offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. "I think the last time we visited here, we talked about how he has a really great foundation coming from Florida State, so he understands the big picture, he understands our terminology as to who we're blocking and he really has a good feel for the game.

"I don't see any elements of running back play that he can't be very good at, and pass protection is one of them."

about the writer

Mark Craig

Sports reporter

Mark Craig has covered the NFL nearly every year since Brett Favre was a rookie back in 1991. A sports writer since 1987, he is covering his 30th NFL season out of 37 years with the Canton (Ohio) Repository (1987-99) and the Star Tribune (1999-present).

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