There are certain cycles in the NFL that are always very easy to predict. One of the easiest to foresee is when fans of a team pine for a certain free agent or draft pick merely because they are from that state. 

This is one of the oldest tricks in the book.

That is why it shouldn't surprise anyone that some fans are suggesting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look at recent free agent running back Dalvin Cook (from Miami and played at Florida State). The Bucs should probably pass.

For starters, the Buccaneers obviously love what they have in second-year running back Rachaad White.

Dave Canales and Todd Bowles choose to ride White hard-so hard that there has only been one game where White played less than 70% of the offensive snaps.

It may not always lead to the most efficient brand of football, but the Bucs sure aren't in need of a guy to challenge White for carries if their recent actions are any indications of what they want with their offense.

To make matters worse for the Cook-to-Tampa crowd, the former Vikings star just hasn't been good this season.

Sure, there are some obvious issues with the Jets on offense and Breece Hall doesn't leave a lot of open carries for the RB2, but that still isn't enough to excuse what Cook has done with his touches. 

Dalvin Cook has a 3.2 ypc, 38% success rate with a long run of 15 yards. He has a bottom 10 lowest ypc among all NFL RBs on perfectly blocked runs so it’s not his OL. He’s atrocious by every metric imaginable. No the Browns shouldn’t sign him. Just use Pierre Strong more

— Clevta (@Clevta) January 2, 2024

The numbers just aren't pretty, and while they may hint at the fact that Cook may be an upgrade over some of the depth backs the Bucs already have, it seems obvious that the production won't be worth the cost.

Also, it is worth mentioning that Cook is almost certainly not eyeing Tampa as a location where he can play a depth role and compete for a Super Bowl. Tampa is just too volatile and the rushing won't be easier here than it is in New York.

This was just a more fun idea a few years ago. Now, it doesn't look great for either side.

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