Will The NFL Suspend Dalvin Cook? Fantasy Football Outlook

After the Minnesota Vikings released running back Dalvin Cook in June, the four-time Pro Bowler still remains a free agent over one month later. Cook has expressed numerous times this offseason that he will take his time finding a new home for the 2023 NFL season. 

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However, there might be another reason why teams haven't signed Cook to a contract yet. The former Vikings running back could be facing a suspension from the NFL following a domestic violence accusation from his ex-girlfriend. 

Will the NFL suspend Cook? What is his fantasy outlook in 2023? Let's dive in. 

Will The NFL Suspend Dalvin Cook? 

According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, there has been "chatter in leagues circles about a possible suspension" for Cook in 2023. The potential suspension could be a reason why teams are hesitant on signing the veteran running back. 

In 2021, Cook's ex-girlfriend claimed that the running back abused her and held her hostage at his home in Minnesota one year earlier, leaving her with a concussion. The veteran denied the claim and countersued her for defamation. He has also tried to get these charges dropped by offering her $800,000 and $1 million, but she has denied both. 

There's a chance the NFL will suspend Cook for his domestic actions. The NFL will do its own investigation, and if they find him guilty, the league would suspend him under its personal conduct policy. The likely suspension for the running back would be six games. 

Dalvin Cook Fantasy Football Outlook

If you're drafting this weekend in fantasy leagues, Cook remains one of the riskiest players to target. Not only is he still a free agent, but a possible suspension looms for the four-time Pro Bowler. A six-game suspension would drop his fantasy value in all formats. 

According to reports, the three favorites to land the former Vikings running back are the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets. Landing on the Jets or Patriots – with Breece Hall and Rhamondre Stevenson – would hurt Cook's fantasy value while landing on the Dolphins would make him an easy fantasy RB1. 

Cook has been a fantasy superstar over the past couple of seasons. He has finished top-12 at the running back position in PPR formats in three of the past four years, including as the RB11 in PPR formats in 2022. However, the landing spot does matter if he wants to return to RB1 territory. 

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