Week 1 at Tennessee Titans
It's unclear what the Raiders have in store for Jared Cook in this offense as the season begins. Because of that, and the team's history of not using tight ends much, he is not near the TE1 tier for Week 1.
Fantasy Upside
New Oakland Raider Jared Cook played well last season in Green Bay. After coming back from injury in Week 11, Cook was the PPR TE12.
Fantasy Downside
The Raiders are not a team that has made tight ends fantasy relevant. No Oakland tight end has finished inside the top-24 of fantasy scoring at the position in back-to-back seasons.
2017 Bottom Line
There are plenty of more attractive tight end options in 2017. Yes, the position is top-heavy, but after the big names it is also deep; however, Cook is not part of that group.
NFC Championship at Atlanta
The playoffs are why the Packers went out and acquired Cook, and he hasn't disappointed. He matched his season-high with 11 targets last week and put up a very solid line of 6-103-1, including a huge catch to set up the game-winning field goal. He didn't play against the Falcons earlier this season, but he's gotten 20 targets in two postseason games. That workload alone makes him a very viable play this week in Atlanta.
Divisional Round at Dallas
Jared Cook saw a very healthy nine targets last week and managed a line of 5-48-0. A similar amount of targets this week against the Cowboys could be very fruitful, as Dallas' defense has struggled against tight ends all season and ranks 24th in adjusted fantasy defense against that position. With Jordy Nelson likely out, Cook could certainly help ease that loss and will be an athletic matchup issue for the Cowboys.
Wild Card Round vs. New York Giants
Cook had four catches for 56 yards last week against Detroit and has been trending in the right direction. The Giants allowed 90 tight end catches for 1,048 yards, so there could be some opportunities this week - though they did allow just four TE touchdowns this season. Green Bay had just one completion for six yards to the tight end position back in Week 5 against New York but Cook didn't play in that game. He should catch enough passes to be more useful than most players at the position, especially in PPR leagues.
Week 17 at Detroit
Cook got five targets last week and recorded three catches for 37 yards last week but didn't get into the end zone. Detroit has given up 10 touchdown passes to opposing tight ends, though just one has come in the past six games and came on a trick play. But the Lions did allow the Packers' Richard Rodgers to score back in Week 3, so there could be some opportunities. Cook is a low-end starting option this week depending on who you have sitting out.
Week 16 at Minnesota
Cook got eight targets last week and finished with six catches for 85 yards, second on the team in both categories to Jordy Nelson. Minnesota has given up just three touchdowns to opposing tight ends this season, but all three have come in the past six games. Cook is a TE2 start this week with some upside.
Week 15 at Chicago
Cook got just two targets last week and managed one catch for 15 yards. He has just five catches in the past three weeks. That doesn't add up to enough production to be in your lineup.
Week 14 vs. Seattle
Cook got four targets last week and had three catches for 19 yards as the Packers struggled against Houston's tough pass defense. Now, they get another tough pass D with Seattle. The Seahawks have allowed just two TE touchdowns this season. Cook isn't getting enough consistent work to make him a TE1 at this point, which is disappointing.
Week 13 vs. Houston
Cook was targeted just twice last week and caught one pass for seven yards. This after being targeted 12 times the previous week and catching six passes for 105 yards and a score. We can hope for something in between this week against Houston, but likely not enough to use Cook in your lineup.
