The tight end position is a lightning rod for attention for the Buffalo Bills. In an offense that did nothing but impress in 2020, the tight position group did anything but.
Second-year pro Dawson Knox never hit his stride. Behind him, the Bills have little playmaking talent. Additionally, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane already said that tight end production can stand to improve this offseason.
If the Bills do decide to find an upgrade, Bleacher Report suggests one name to get there: Jared Cook.
In tabbing the best destination for the 33-year-old, B/R says the Bills are his “best fit.” Here’s why:
Best fit: Buffalo Bills. The cap-strapped New Orleans Saints might not be able to afford to keep him around, while the Bills are a contender who could take advantage of his experience right away in a platoon role with young incumbent Dawson Knox.
Bringing Cook into the fold with Knox is a concept the Bills have actually already tried to pull off. Last offseason, Buffalo was connected to then-free agent Greg Olsen who opted to sign with the Seattle Seahawks instead.
From there, the Bills decided to roll out Knox at tight end and he had a bump in the road. His production dropped as he only caught 24 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games played this year. Knox might be better suited in a No. 2 role, or at least with less pressure on him until he develops more. Enter Cook?
In 2020 alone, Cook put up comparable numbers to the ones Knox has in his two-year career. Cook hauled in 37 catches for 504 yards with seven touchdowns. In the past, Cook has pushed upwards of 900 receiving yards and he’s probably not going to do such a thing in a role with the Bills. He also isn’t exactly a highly-touted blocker.
Still, the veteran could be a short-term solution at the position to pair with Knox.
In regard to the rest of Buffalo’s tight ends, Tyler Kroft is a free agent while Lee Smith has already suggested he might retire this offseason. There would easily be room for Cook in Buffalo.
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