Dalvin Cook's signature is drying and the Vikings are eyeing the future of their backfield.
The 41st-overall selection signed his rookie deal on Wednesday, the team announced, rounding out the contracts for the Vikings' 11-man draft class.
Cook fell out of the first round, and general manager Rick Spielman spent 45 minutes on the phone with the running back before trading up from No. 48 to 41 to draft Cook, who left Florida State as the school's all-time leading rusher with 4,464 yards after averaging 6.5 yards per carry in just three seasons.
The three-down running back fits exactly what Spielman said he was looking for in the position, had position coach Kennedy Polamalu raving about Cook's career ambition and is expected to be Minnesota's lead ballcarrier in a backfield that also includes new addition Latavius Murray and returning tailback Jerick McKinnon. The tandem will attempt to replace the departed Adrian Peterson, who left for New Orleans via free agency.
