Does anyone think Zeke is the better get than Dalvin? Just curious if there is an argument there?
No, but I think you can squint and see why the Patriots preferred Zeke over Dalvin (aside from that Dalvin may have preferred the Jets over the Pats):
First, I don't expect Dalvin to have the same efficiency he had in Minnesota. Minnesota had a better line, Jefferson to keep the top of the defense honest, and Mattison seemed to outperform him in many of the same roles.
Second, I think his total number of career carries - just short of 1300 - is a little misleading. First, a casual reminder that 1500 carries is a pretty good barometer for when running backs start a steep production decline. So, even if his 1300 carries was a fair representation of his workload, he would still be walking pretty close to the edge of the cliff. Regardless, based on workload, it usually takes lead backs 6-7 full seasons to reach 1500 carries. Cook is close to that threshold at 5 full seasons because the Vikings ran him into the ground when he played (when he wasn't getting injured, in part due to the workload). Over the last 4 seasons, Cook has finished 6th, 2nd, 3rd, and 9th in carries per game. In that time, only Derrick Henry (doesn't count, hes an alien) had more carries per game than Cook. Hell, only Henry had more CARRIES than Cook, despite Cook missing a half season worth of games.
And that ties into the third issue - injuries. Theres something to be said for being able to stay on the field. Cook has missed multiple games every season of his career...except last season. I'd bed that, even with a reduced workload, Cook hits some injury issues throughout the 2023 season.
None of that is to say that Zeke is the better back. Hes probably more Cooked than Cook. But you can understand why Zeke - as a cheaper, more consistent option - makes some sense for the Pats.