Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott proved last year that rookie running backs can be fantasy football assets. Dalvin Cook could join him this year among the fantasy elite.

The Vikings traded up to get Cook with the 41st pick in last month's NFL Draft despite having already signed former Raiders back Latavius Murray. Most NFL teams use multiple running backs, and Cook appears poised to be the lightning to Murray's thunder.

Speed backs can be hard to predict while making the jump to the NFL. The game is faster and they sometimes can't rely purely on their speed like they did in college. But Cook looks like a solid all-around back.

Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has certainly been impressed with his rookie during OTAs.

"He certainly caught our eye in the rookie stuff," Shurmur told reporters, via the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "Now that he’s in with the vets, you can still see all the things that we saw. He’s a very instinctive runner. He’ll get his foot down and gets up the field. He’s actually pretty instinctive when it comes to who to block in pass protection and he catches the ball extremely well… He’s making good progress."

While it is not uncommon for a coach to praise his rookie, it's nice to hear that Cook has done well as a blocker. That can often be one of the main detriments to playing time early in a running back's career.

From a fantasy standpoint, Cook will possess more value in PPR (points per reception) leagues than in standard leagues, at least to start the season, because Murray figures to claim most of the red-zone carries.

Should Murray suffer an injury, Cook would be a prime candidate to handle a heavy workload. He could develop into a three-down back at some point during the season.

Jerick McKinnon is also on the roster, but he did not take advantage of his opportunity last season when he averaged just 3.4 yards per carry.

Last year, Elliott was a sure-fire first-round pick in fantasy drafts because he was virtually assured a huge workload behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Cook does not have the same upside heading into the season, but he could payoff for a fantasy owner willing to gamble on a rookie with explosive talent.