Week 4 vs. Cleveland Browns
Cleveland ranks second in aFPA to TEs, but Jared Cook is averaging more than seven targets per game. That can't be ignored at the extremely thin tight end position. With a minimum of eight points in each of the first three weeks (PPR scoring), Cook is a reliable TE1 in a passing offense lacking established or above-average targets.
Week 3 at Miami Dolphins
The Raiders have the dreaded cross-country, early eastern time zone kickoff Sunday in Miami. Las Vegas has taken note, too, as the Raiders have a low 20.5-point implied team total. However, the Dolphins gave up more than 100 yards in Week 1 to Titans tight ends before playing a Jets team that doesn't feature a TE. Given how thin it gets at TE after the elite options each week, Cook's 4-49 last week wasn't terrible. Plus, the Raiders don't have many options outside of Amari Cooper. Targets should continue to come his way. He's a TE1 option.
Week 2 at Denver Broncos
Well, hello again, Jared Cook. Care to stick around for another week, or will you again perform your fantasy vanishing act after a big performance? If Cook is going to follow up Week 1 with another fantasy gem, he has the right matchup. Denver just gave up more than 100 yards to some Seattle rookie tight end nobody had ever heard of until last week. If Will Dissly can go off against Denver, why can't Jared Cook have a decent day? Cook was a low-end TE1 in 2017. It's safe to consider him a TE1 again in Week 2.
Week 1 vs. Los Angeles Rams
It's time for another Jon Gruden era, where the Raiders will start with a bottom-half implied team total in Vegas for Week 1. Jordy Nelson and Amari Cooper will face a stingy defense that added Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib at corner to a defense that was already above average in aFPA to WRs last season before those big-name additions. That could open things up for more targets on the inside to Cook. He's a fringe top-15 option for us this week and on the streaming TE radar for Week 1.
Fantasy Upside
Cook quietly finished as the TE12 in PPR last season. He showed he could be a No. 1 TE in this offense.
Fantasy Downside
His 8.3 PPR points per week only ranked 15th at the position. Cook had nine weeks with fewer than seven points.
2018 Bottom Line
Cook could be a late-round best-ball option for those looking to wait on TEs, but in redraft leagues, it will likely come with disappointment in at least half the weeks you start him. On the bright side, his 13th-round ADP makes him a low-risk proposition.
Week 17 at Los Angeles Chargers
Oakland ends its season in Los Angeles, facing a Chargers defense revved up to try and make the postseason. That's not a good combination for Jared Cook. However, the Chargers defense ranks second in aFPA to WRs but only 16th in aFPA to TEs. Some targets could funnel his way, putting him on the radar as a low-end TE1 option for Week 17.
Week 16 at Philadelphia Eagles
The Raiders go cross-country for a Christmas night battle with the Eagles. With the possible return of Amari Cooper, it further limits Jared Cook's upside. Even without Cooper, Cook has failed to reach six PPR points in five of his past six games. He feels far too risky to play in Week 16.
Week 15 vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Raiders face the Cowboys in a must-win game for their playoff hopes. Oakland has an implied team total in Vegas below the top half of teams for Week 15. However, Amari Cooper is out again this week, which meant 13 targets in this same situation for Michael Crabtree last week and no more than 6 targets for every other Raider pass-catcher. Given the state of the TE position outside of the elite options that makes Cook a starting consideration with Cooper sidelined. He's a low-end TE1, coming off a solid performance in the same situation last week, albeit in a tougher matchup.
Week 14 at Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs-Raiders game has the second-highest over/under in Vegas for Week 14, and with Amari Cooper out, most of the targets should go through Michael Crabtree and tight end Jared Cook. That's great news for Cook owners, as he roasted the Chiefs for 6 receptions and 107 yards on 7 targets in Week 7. He's a viable fantasy option in Week 14.
Week 13 vs. New York Giants
The suspension of Michael Crabtree and injuries to Amari Cooper mean Jared Cook is going to get fed this week. The Giants are also dead last in our aFPA vs. TE rankings. Cook is absolutely worth the gamble this week, despite his frustrating weekly inconsistency.
