Through the struggles of the last two NFL season, Jared Cook was the security blanket this Oakland Raiders team needed on offense.
Over the last two seasons, the Oakland Raiders have gotten great production out of tight end Jared Cook, who has led the team in receiving yards in both campaigns. While the team struggled to put wins together, Cook was the ultimate team player, serving as Derek Carr‘s security blanket when the wide receiver group failed to produce.
Now, Cook will be doing that for Drew Brees, as the veteran tight end signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday.
During the 2017 and 2018 seasons, the Raiders dealt with a ton of adversity on the offensive side of the ball. Amari Cooper never quite lived up to the early hype, as he was a Pro Bowler in his first two seasons, and while Michael Crabtree had his moments in the Silver and Black, he was cut after the 2017 season.
All the while, Cook put his head down and put in the work, starting 30 of the team’s 32 games, and appearing in every one of them. In addition, he set career highs in both receiving yards (896), and touchdowns (6), last season, as he was the only member of the Raiders to receive a nod to the Pro Bowl.
Cook showed flashes during his early years in the NFL, but his last two seasons with the Raiders were by far his most productive. That made him a wanted man during this free agency, and while the team would have loved to have him back, they must now go on without one of their biggest leaders.
Luckily for Carr, he has a ton more weapons than he had a year ago, softening this blow a bit. Guys like Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams will be his first option when he drops back, and both of them are very reliable.
There are some legitimate first round talents at the tight end position in this year’s draft class, and the Raiders do hold four of the first 35 picks this April. Guys like T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant, and Irv Smith Jr. could certainly help this team in 2019, and beyond, but Cook’s leadership will certainly be missed.