NFL Free Agency 2019: 10 Best players available after first wave

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 30: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders is sacked and stripped by Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

6. Jared Cook, TE

As the Oakland Raiders and Derek Carr were desperate for warm bodies to throw the football to last season, tight end Jared Cook reaped the benefits as he set career-highs across the board. In the 2018 season, Cook recorded 68 catches for 896 yards and six touchdowns with a 67.3 percent catch rate. Even on the wrong side of 30, he put up terrific numbers and now looks for a new team.

The lack of consistency for Cook throughout his career, despite his obvious talent, is reason to be cautious if you’re an NFL team looking to ink the tight end to a new deal as he enters his age-32 season. Having said that, he showed he still has plenty left in the tank both as a safety valve option and as a player that can break off some chunk plays at times.

5. Zach Brown, LB

A second-round pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2012 NFL Draft, linebacker Zach Brown has consistently been a tackling machine in the league. In the 2018 season with the Washington Redskins — who cut the linebacker this offseason after trying to find a trade for him — his role diminished for some reason, but he still finished with 96 total tackles, following up seasons of 149 and 127 total tackles in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Brown, even at 29 years old, still has athleticism to burn and is a player that can fly all over the field in the run game, but keep up with any matchup he’s placed in when dropping into coverage. While he sometimes lacks discipline, Brown at his best is an elite linebacker in this league and a team could potentially get a bargain by adding him this offseason.

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