NFL free agency 2019: Best tight ends available

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 28: Jared Cook #87 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after his 25-yard touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

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KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 30: Tight end Jared Cook #87 of the Oakland Raiders gets tackled by cornerback Charvarius Ward #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

1. Jared Cook (Oakland Raiders)

If there was indeed a bright spot amongst the chaos surrounding the Silver and Black in 2018, it may have been veteran tight end Jared Cook. The well-traveled performer led the Oakland Raiders tied for the team lead with 68 receptions. But he easily led Jon Gruden’s team with 896 receiving yards and six total touchdowns — all via the air. All of those three figures were career bests and resulted in the 10-year performer being named to his first Pro Bowl.

The one-time third-round pick of the Tennessee Titans, the one-time University of South Carolina standout spent four seasons in Nashville before joining the then-St. Louis Rams in ’13. After three years in the Gateway City, it was onto Green Bay for a memorable year with the Packers. He and Aaron Rodgers combined for one of the great pass plays in the fourth quarter of a 34-31 win at Dallas.

In 2017, Cook opted to join a fourth different team and signed with the Raiders. In two seasons in the Bay Area, he’s totaled 122 catches for 1,584 yards (13.0 average) and eight TDs. He’s played in all 32 games and made 30 starts. All told, the 31-year-old performer has enjoyed his best two seasons in terms of receptions (54 and 68, respectively) in two seasons with the franchise.

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Cook is seemingly getting better with age. And it appears he still has a lot of good football ahead of him. If he indeed hits the open market, he appears to be the clear-cut best tight end available.

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