Fantasy Football: 11 Players to Avoid in 2017

Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is currently going as the 17th running back off the board in the third round of standard drafts, according to Fantasy Football Calculator. He's expensive because of the investment the Vikings made in him in this year's NFL draft (he was a second-round pick), because of his college production (he averaged 1,728 yards and 19 touchdowns per year over his final two years at Florida State) and because his path to a starting gig is blocked only by uninspiring names like Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon.

But don't be seduced by the sexy rookie name here. Cook could be special for the Vikings in the future, but as we approach Week 1, Murray is reportedly going to be the team's short-yardage back (read: the more likely goal-line back) and he expects to be "the guy" in the backfield. Even if you discount those reports because you subscribe to the "talent always wins out" philosophy, we project both Cook and Murray for 148 carries in 2017, meaning that any way you slice this situation, Murray is going to eat into Cook's value significantly -- even if Cook is the eventual starter.

Plus, Minnesota's offensive line was a hot mess in 2016 -- the Vikings finished dead last in the NFL in Adjusted Rushing NEP per play. A lot of that was injury-related, but it's certainly not promising for a running back who isn't even guaranteed a starting gig, and who you'll have to overpay for to draft. Stay away. —Abe Schwadron