Big names Seattle Seahawks need to avoid during 2019 NFL free agency

Jared Cook, TE, Oakland Raiders

I’m sure the Seahawks would love to find an upgrade at tight end this offseason. Since the departure of Jimmy Graham, it’s been an underwhelming effort from the little-known commodities they’ve been forced to trot onto the field.

Right now, Seattle’s tight end depth chart looks something like this: Nick Vannett, Will Dissly, Ed Dickson and Tyrone Swoopes. Yikes. Sure, Vannett held his own a season ago, but he’s far from the reliable playmaker they’d love to provide Russell Wilson. That’s why targeting a top tight end during free agency wouldn’t be the worst idea.

The problem is there isn’t exactly a plethora of options available. Of the best names set to hit the market on March 13, the one to avoid is Jared Cook.

If you’re just looking at last season, it would seem as though Cook was an enticing free agent target. He’s coming off a “breakout” year with the Oakland Raiders, during which he set career highs in receptions (68), receiving yards (896) and receiving touchdowns (6). Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s enough to warrant a big-money deal — which Cook will undoubtedly be seeking.

Cook will be 32 years old in April, and is coming off what was likely a fluke season with an Oakland passing game that lacked any other capable options. The Seahawks would be better off spending their cap space on someone like Eric Ebron rather than gambling on the hope that Cook could turn in another career-best performance.