Oakland Raiders NFL Trade Rumors: Jared Cook Scheduled to Visit Raiders
Former Green Bay Packers tight end Jared Cook has already left Seattle and Minnesota without signing a contract, and now it's the Oakland Raiders' turn to convince him to join them.
According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Cook will go to Oakland after his stop in Minnesota and the Raiders are reportedly a "strong landing spot" for the tight end.
The Raiders were reportedly interested in signing Martellus Bennett, but he ended up signing with the Packers. Since their primary target is gone, they might as well recruit one of the Packers' top tight end last season.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Cook actually struggled during the regular season last year, but he picked up the pace during the playoffs. In 10 regular season games, he had 30 receptions for 377 yards and a single touchdown. In three postseason games, Cook had 18 receptions for 229 yards and two touchdowns as well, and he helped the Packers reach the National Football Conference (NFC) championship game.
They lost the NFC title to the Atlanta Falcons, but Cook has emerged as one of their most reliable players during the playoff run. But with Bennett in the fold Cook has become expendable, so he's looking for a new home.
Cook is certainly an interesting option for the Raiders at tight end. He can be a pass-catching option for quarterback Derek Carr to go along with Clive Walford. And since Mychal Rivera is a free agent, the Raiders can bring Cook in to play backup tight end behind Lee Smith.
"Lee Smith, the team's starter, is not much of a pass catcher and is coming off a season-ending leg injury; former third-round draft pick Clive Walford has, so far, failed to make the leap; and Mychal Rivera is leaving in free agency," CBS Sports' Kevin Boilard said in his report. "Cook can be a decent addition in quarterback Derek Carr's arsenal of offensive weapons," he continued.
For now, the Jared Cook free agency tour continues.
