Las Vegas Raiders: Top-25 players of the Derek Carr Era

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 11: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 11, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 11: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 11, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Jan 27, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; AFC tight end Jared Cook of the Oakland Raiders (87) celebrates after a first down in the fourth quarter against the NFC in the NFL Pro Bowl football game at Camping World Stadium. AFC defeated the NFC 26-7. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; AFC tight end Jared Cook of the Oakland Raiders (87) celebrates after a first down in the fourth quarter against the NFC in the NFL Pro Bowl football game at Camping World Stadium. AFC defeated the NFC 26-7. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Las Vegas Raiders: Top-25 players of the Derek Carr Era

No. 20: Jared Cook, TE (2017-2018)

Heading into the 2017 NFL season, the Raiders signed Jared Cook to a two-year deal, and he went into camp fighting for the starting job. He would win the job, and across his two seasons with the franchise, would put together his best years as a pro, and make his first Pro Bowl.

During a time of change within the organization, as the franchise brought back Jon Gruden after firing Jack Del Rio, Cook was a constant for the Raiders’ offense. He was a security blanket for Derek Carr and helped clear the way for guys like Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree to exploit defenses on the outside during the 2017 season.

All told, Cook appeared in all 32 games for the Raiders in 2017 and 2018, and his 2018 season was the best season of his career. He set career-highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, becoming a red zone threat for Carr, and establishing himself as one of the better pass-catching tight ends in the NFL.