EAGAN, Minn. — Dalvin Cook has put together one of the best all-around offensive seasons in franchise history, and now the running back has been rewarded with his first-career Pro Bowl selection.
Cook was one of three Vikings players, along with defensive end Danielle Hunter and Harrison Smith, who were announced Tuesday night as selections to the 2020 Pro Bowl.
"It's a big accomplishment," Cook said. "Shout out to all my teammates, the O-linemen and everyone who helped me get to this point."
Hunter was selected to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, and Smith has made it five in a row, tying Hall of Famer Paul Krause for the second-longest streak by a safety in Vikings history. Joey Browner garnered six selections from 1985-90.
Cook has compiled 1,135 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 250 carries (4.54 yards per attempt), while also hauling in 53 receptions for 519 yards.
Cook is one of two running backs (along with Carolina's Christian McCaffrey) with at least 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in 2019. Cook is only the third running back in Vikings history to accomplish that feat, joining Chuck Foreman (1975, 1976) and Ted Brown (1981).
"Whatever [the coaches] had set up for me, I just bought into what they had going on each and every week," Cook said when asked about the key to this year's success.
Cook was a second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Florida State, but injuries limited him to 15 games in his first two seasons. He tallied 969 rushing yards and four rushing scores in that time.
"I always said I would get myself in tip-top shape to tote the football," said Cook, who has started all 14 games so far in 2019. "I've been working extra hard and dialing it back with a lot of things."
Cook, who left Sunday's game with a shoulder injury, finished fourth overall among all NFL players with 431,748 fan votes. He was first among running backs and trailed only quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson and Patrick Mahomes.
"Shout out to [the fans] for thinking of me so highly as one of the top players in the NFL," Cook said. "I appreciate everybody that voted, so thank you."
Cook is the ninth Vikings running back in team history to be selected to the Pro Bowl. He joins a list that also includes Hugh McElhenny, Tommy Mason, Bill Brown, Dave Osborn, Chuck Foreman, Robert Smith, Michael Bennett and Adrian Peterson.
Hunter is the sixth Vikings defensive end in franchise history to receive a Pro Bowl nod. He joins Vikings Ring of Honor member Jim Marshall (1968-69), Hall of Famers Carl Eller (1968-71; 1973-74) and Chris Doleman (1987-90; 1992-93), Jared Allen (2009; 2011-12) and Everson Griffen (2015-17). *Does not include Pro Bowl seasons by Doleman and Allen that occurred with other teams.
The 2015 third-round pick leads Minnesota with 13.5 sacks this season, including one on Sunday during which he forced a fumble that Ifeadi Odenigbo returned 56 yards for a touchdown. Hunter said he's excited to return to the Pro Bowl with Smith but added that other teammates are worthy of the distinction.
"With Harrison, it shows we've been doing our part on defense. But it's not just us," Hunter said. "There's a whole bunch of other guys on our defense that deserve to be in the Pro Bowl as well. It just means a lot to us because of what others think of us and people respecting our play. It's an honor, but the main goal is the last game of the season."
Smith is the 13th player who has made five consecutive Pro Bowls while with the Vikings. Hall of Fame defensive tackle Alan Page set the Vikings record for a defensive player with nine consecutive Pro Bowls from 1968-76. Hall of Fame guard Randall McDaniel has the most of any Viking with 11 consecutive selections from 1989-99.
Smith said he appreciated the recognition but emphasized a continued focus on team goals.
"It's always great to be recognized by players, fans, coaches, and it's really a tribute to the Vikings being such a great organization," Smith said. "They kind of help you get to that success. Personal accolades are great, but it's not really what the game is about. I think there's a bunch of guys on our team that should be in there. It's cool, but we've still got other things to do."
