James Cook has been in the spotlight this off-season due to his contract nearing its end. Notably, Cook took to social media to express his opinion that he should earn $15 million annually in a new contract. Given that the Buffalo Bills seem unlikely to make Cook one of the NFL’s top-paid running backs, a trade might be on the table.

Should Cook secure the $15 million per year he desires, he would rank as the third highest-paid running back in the league. With emerging talents like Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Breece Hall earning less on rookie contracts, such a payout might not be a wise move for the Bills. Daniel Alameda from TWSN predicts that the Miami Dolphins might trade for Cook, even though they already have De’Von Achane.

Alameda notes, “If there’s any team Cook would consider, the Dolphins should be high on the list. From a football standpoint, we’ve witnessed running backs with comparable skill sets like Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr, and De’Von Achane thrive in the Dolphins’ West-Coast offense.” This wouldn’t be the first occasion the Dolphins have deployed a dual running back strategy.

In 2023, Mostert achieved 1,012 rushing yards, while Achane garnered 800. Acquiring another back to complement Achane isn’t out of the realm of possibility. In his piece, Alameda suggests a fair trade could be: “Dolphins Receive: RB James Cook, Bills Receive: Round 3 Pick #98.”

This offer seems somewhat low for Cook, but with a loaded 2025 running back class, it’s not too far-fetched. That said, it might not be logical for the Dolphins to invest in another running back. Despite a lackluster rookie season, Jaylen Wright was selected in the 4th round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Abandoning Wright as the RB2 after just one year wouldn’t be sensible.

Moreover, the Dolphins have numerous other team needs. Running back isn’t a priority. If they aim to be competitive in 2025, they should focus on drafting a player who can make a significant impact, rather than bolstering a position group that’s already quite strong.