5 free agents for Houston Texans that are a perfect fit
By Avery Duncan
1. Jared Cook, TE, Oakland Raiders
2018 stats: 16 games played, 101 targets, 68 receptions (67.3 catch percentage), 6 touchdowns.
Jared Cook is the epitome of a journeyman tight end. He’s played in more offensive schemes than he has teams (four), yet has still been able to find a role despite which team he is playing with. The 31-year-old had his best year in 2018, as he was selected to his first Pro Bowl, accumulating 896 yards and six touchdowns on 68 receptions — proving that he still has more gas left in the tank.
The Texans on the other hand, have a relatively young tight end core, that could get more shallow if they release Ryan Griffin, who has regressed from mediocre to being a liability. Cook could be a player that the Texans add on a short-term deal while they groom 2018 draft picks Jordan Akins and Jordan Thomas.
As shown at the end of the 2018 season, the Texans struggled down the line when other receivers went down around DeAndre Hopkins. If the team is inclined to give Watson more options to an already potent offense, Cook could do so at a team-friendly price.
He isn’t going to be a world-beating tight end, but he could add another dimension to the Texans offense.
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