Oakland Raiders 2018 season grades: TE Jared Cook
Jared Cook was expected to be a solid contributor to the Oakland Raiders offense, and ended up having a career year in 2018.
After signing with the Oakland Raiders in 2017 and having a solid inaugural season wearing the Silver and Black, Jared Cook came into 2018 expecting to be a key contributor to the Raiders offense. With Jon Gruden at the helm and having a respected reputation for his offensive scheme, Cook had a shot of being a great compliment to the likes of Amari Cooper, newly signed Jordy Nelson, and Marshawn Lynch in the backfield.
On the contrary, Cook didn’t play the mere role of contributor to the offensive attack, instead he very well became the focal point and safety net for Derek Carr onwards to a career year in 2018. After the receiving corps was hindered by injuries and trades, as well as the backfield with Marshawn Lynch’s season ending injury, Jared Cook became the Raiders’ most reliable weapon on offense and formed a great chemistry with Derek Carr under center.
Here’s our season grade of tight end Jared Cook.
Expectation
Coming into the 2018 season, Jared Cook was the Raiders no.1 tight end on the depth chart and if utilized correctly in Jon Gruden’s offensive game plan, could prove to be an x-factor as the season rolled on. With Amari Cooper the number one option heading into the season alongside the newly signed veteran Jordy Nelson, the three players altogether could be a sound trio of offensive weapons.
Cook’s size and solid speed for a tight end makes him a walking matchup advantage if used correctly to his strengths. Aside from Cooper, Cook also had the advantage of already having a full season working with Derek Carr, so year two of them connecting should’ve been another leap in development.
Reality
With Amari Cooper traded to the Dallas Cowboys, the receiving corps susceptible to the injury bug, and Marshawn Lynch’s season ending prematurely due to injury, Cook stepped up in a big way and proved to be the safety net for Derek Carr and the star on offense for the Oakland Raiders. In his ninth season in the league and at 31 years old, Cook had by far the best season of his career.
He finished the season with 896 yards receiving and six touchdowns, good for the most in each of those categories among Oakland’s receivers. Per Pro Football Focus Cook has a receiving grade of 81.5 which is good for fourth among tight ends, and a 75.7 overall offensive grade which ranks in the top 10 overall. Though he didn’t end the season on the strongest note (three catches for 28 yards, including a route in which he gave up mid-play resulting in an interception) Cook was by far the Raiders’ best threat in the passing game.
Looking Ahead
Cook will be among the free agents (he’s unrestricted) for the Raiders in the offseason, and its likely that there will be a split amongst fans and the coaching staff as to whether we’ll see him return in the Silver and Black next season. He undoubtedly was the best target for Derek Carr all season and his 2018 performance was very much Pro-Bowl worthy. Having a tight end that can exploit the defense is huge in today’s NFL.
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However, Gruden has made it clear that he likes what he sees in what could be Cook’s replacement at tight end: Darren Waller. Waller is five years younger than Cook, and Oakland very much wants to get younger and faster in their roster talent. Waller showed glimpses of production in his Week 15 game against Cincinnati, but make no mistake that the Raiders would be wise in bringing back one of the most productive players in 2018 and perhaps Carr’s most trustworthy target in Jared Cook.