Hey bestie! 👋 Happy Friday Eve. Let’s get our sports on!

In today’s newsletter…

• Top 3 landing spots for RB Dalvin Cook 🧑‍🍳 

• More sports news you can use 📰 

• NBA Finals updates 🏆

Where should Dalvin Cook sign? 🧑‍🍳 

Those who have taken a beat on NFL news this offseason may have been hit with a surprise Thursday morning, as word broke that the Minnesota Vikings informed RB Dalvin Cook that he’d be released.

The 4x Pro Bowler played his first six years in the league with the Vikings after being drafted by Minnesota as a second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He’s been productive, no doubt, tallying the fifth most scrimmage yards (7,787) among any running back in that span, to pair with 52 total touchdowns (tied-9th).

The biggest issue was Cook’s contract, though. By releasing Cook, the team will clear up $9 million toward their salary cap.

Here, I’ll count down my top three favorite potential landing spots for Dalvin Cook… including one which might surprise you. 👀 

3. Miami Dolphins 🐬 

The rumors of Dalvin Cook to the Dolphins have been swirling for quite a while, and at the time of this writing, they’re the odds favorite to land him via free agency, per Sports Illustrated.

Some argue that there are already too many running backs in Miami for this to be a great landing spot, but it’s worth noting that Cook might offer a bit more between the tackles than the other running backs on the roster (Rookie Devon Achane and veterans Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr.). The backs currently rostered are shifty, speedy guys. Cook offers all of that speed PLUS power. It’d be a great fit… but it’s not my favorite landing spot.

2. Dallas Cowboys 🤠 

Ezekiel Elliott, who? Yes, the Dallas Cowboys still have RB Tony Pollard in the clubhouse, who’s set to play on the franchise tag this year for just over $10 million. However, the depth behind Pollard is… slightly horrifying. Trust me when I say that relying on a backfield of Malik Davis, Ronald Jones, and Deuce Vaughn (literally the shortest player measured at the combine or selected in the draft since 2003, per Yahoo! Sports) to support the run game wouldn’t be wise.

The Cowboys rank third in available cap space with just over $24 million, and it stands to reason that the addition of Cook (especially considering the lack of depth at RB) could be invaluable — especially in case of an injury to starter Tony Pollard.

1. Cincinnati Bengals 🐅 

Joe Mixon fans, avert your eyes and close your ears! You might want to sit this one out.

Though the Bengals don’t technically have a need at running back yet, they sure do have one need — CASH. 🤑 Why? They’ve got to get their young franchise quarterback, Joe Burrow, under a long-term extension — one that will likely make him the highest-paid quarterback in the league.

One way they can find that cash? Releasing veteran RB Joe Mixon. Mixon is entering the third season of his four-year, $48 million extension deal. He’s sure made his bag 🫰 , but he’s largely been less efficient than you’d like, averaging just 4.1 yards per carry in his career. Mehhhhhh.

Conversely, Cook’s bread and butter has been his efficiency, ranking sixth among active running backs with 4.7 yards per carry over his career.

By releasing veteran Mixon, who’s entering the third season of his four-year, they’d save $10 million against the cap, freeing up some money for Dalvin Cook AND throwing a little in the savings account to put toward their shiny new QB contract. ALL ABOARD. 🚂 

 📰 More sports news you can use 📰

🥎 Watch the 2023 Women’s College World Series final TONIGHT!

#1 Oklahoma Sooners take on the #3 Florida State Seminoles at 7:30 p.m. ET for Game 2 of the Women’s College World Series. The Sooners took Game 1 with a very convincing 5-0 lead. Watch on ESPN or ESPN+.

⚽️ Messi meets Miami ⚽️

Welcome to the 305, Mr. Messi! The 35-year-old free-agent soccer star officially announced his intention to sign with the Inter Miami Major League Soccer club. His arrival in the US could mean big things for the country’s interest in professional soccer, fresh off a World Cup win with his home country of Argentina.

 🏒 Stanley Cup Finals are still rolling 🏒 

The Vegas Golden Knights have a 2-0 lead on the Florida Panthers, looking to take their next step toward the Stanley Cup tonight at 8 p.m. ET. The Panthers are home favorites with odds at -125 (A $125 bet would win $100 in profit), despite being outscored in their first two games 12-4 by the Golden Knights.

 🏆️ NBA Finals odds update 🏆️ 

The Denver Nuggets are off to a 2-1 lead in the 2023 NBA Finals! Can the Miami Heat bounce back? Here’s a look at each team’s odds to take home the Larry O’Brien trophy ahead of Game 4, which tips off Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Nuggets odds to win NBA Finals: -1000

Heat odds to win NBA Finals: +650

That’s all I’ve got for today, folks. Happy sportsing!