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Jared Cook rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

By Mike Phillips

Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) celebrates a first down catch and run against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. (Hector Amezcua/Sacramento Bee/TNS via Getty Images)
Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) celebrates a first down catch and run against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. (Hector Amezcua/Sacramento Bee/TNS via Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – NOVEMBER 11: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) passes the ball during the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on November 25th 2018, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – NOVEMBER 11: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) passes the ball during the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on November 25th 2018, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Cincinnati Bengals

That list of top free agent tight ends is very thin, but two of the top options on it were employed by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018. Tyler Eifert and Tyler Kroft are both slated to hit the open market, leaving Cincinnati with a huge void at the position.

The Bengals will likely let Eifert walk due to his history of significant injuries, and they could look to retain Kroft,  but Cook would be an upgrade over both of them. New head coach Zac Taylor would like to make the offense more explosive, and adding a true weapon at tight end could be a big factor.

Cincinnati is in a bit of no-man’s land at quarterback, as well, as it tries to figure out how much longer to make Andy Dalton their uncontested starter. Dalton has been most effective when surrounded by talented weapons, and adding Cook could help bring the best out of the Red Rifle.

The AFC North is also up for grabs with Pittsburgh potentially losing both Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell this offseason and Baltimore having to get used to a full year with Lamar Jackson under center. The Bengals were in the playoff hunt until Dalton got hurt, so if everything goes well there’s no reason they can’t challenge for a division crown.

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