Week 12 at Philadelphia
Cooks - to quote Nuke Laloosh - announced his presence with authority last week, catching six passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. That's promising. But we'd like to see him do something similar again this week before saying he's a guy you have to have in your lineup. That will be tough against the Eagles defense, which has allowed more than four TE receptions in one game this season. Cook probably shouldn't be in your lineup this week, but he should be on your radar.
Week 3 vs. Detroit
Cooks was targeted six times last week and caught four passes for 31 yards after catching just one pass in Week 1. That's encouraging, but he's a tough start even against a Detroit pass defense that has give up four TE touchdown passes in the first two weeks. There are better options available - at least until he and Aaron Rodgers get on the same page.
Week 2 at Minnesota
One catch for seven yards on two targets isn't exactly what anyone had in mind for Cook's debut with the Packers. Keep him on your bench for now until he and Aaron Rodgers get on the same page.
Week 1 at Jacksonville
Even though Richard Rodgers is listed at No. 1 on the depth chart, Cook is more of the receiving threat and could find some room to roam against the Jaguars. Jacksonville allowed nine TE touchdowns last season and Aaron Rodgers will want to get the ball to his new toy. Cook could get enough work this week to be a low-end No. 1 TE or a high-end No. 2 option. He had nine catches for 85 yards in the preseason.
2016 Fantasy Outlook
Cook has always been something of a fantasy enigma. He has plenty of talent. What he hasn't always had - or ever before - is a quarterback even slightly approaching the talent of Aaron Rodgers. For example, on 73 targets last season with the Rams, Cook managed just 39 receptions for 481 yards and no scores. He has got plenty of speed (something the Packers have been missing at the position), but he's also struggled at times with drops. If Cook gets the 73 targets he had last season, expect much better numbers. After all, Richard Rodgers saw 85 targets as the Packers top TE last season. Cook has been going much later than he probably should in most drafts as the 23rd tight end taken with an ADP of 201. That's way too low in my opinion. Cook may not be a TE 1 this season, but he'll be solid in spot starts. The thrifty Packers didn't sign him to not use him.
Week 17 at San Francisco
Jared Cook caught 1-of-2 targets for five yards in the Rams' Week 16 win over the Seahawks. Owed $7 million for 2016, it's unlikely that Cook will be back in St. Louis next year. He won't have much fantasy value no matter where he winds up.
Week 16 at Seattle
Jared Cook caught 4-of-6 targets for 64 yards in the Rams Week 15 win over the Bucs. Even though he didn't reach pay dirt, it was the best we've seen Cook all season. He caught a pass near the goal line at one point and kept fighting for extra yards as multiple Tampa defenders tried to wrestle him to the ground. Despite the positive performance, Cook is not a viable fantasy option and ranks as our TE27 for Week 16.
Week 15 vs. Tampa Bay
Jared Cook caught his lone target for 11 yards in the Rams Week 14 win over the Lions. One week after being targeted nine times in the passing game, new play-caller Rob Boras (who replaced the fired Frank Cignetti last week) recognized that less of Cook means more of Todd Gurley and Tavon Austin. Cook ranks as our TE25 for Week 15 and should be avoided in all fantasy formats.
Week 14 vs. Detroit
Jared Cook caught 3-of-9 targets for 22 yards in the Rams Week 13 loss to the Cardinals. Why Cook was targeted that much in the passing game is unknown. When Nick Foles wasn't misfiring, Cook was dropping passes that hit him in the hands. The Rams offense is a mess and things are unlikely to change now that tight ends coach Rob Boras has replaced former offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti as the play-caller. Cook ranks as our TE23 for Week 14 and should be avoided in all fantasy formats.
Week 13 vs. Arizona
Jared Cook caught 4-of-6 targets for 58 yards in the Rams' Week 12 loss to the Bengals. He also had a bad drop and was the intended receiver on a red zone pass that was broken up and intercepted at the close of the first half. The Rams keep shoehorning Cook into their offense and the results continue to be disappointing. Ranked as our TE24 for Week 13, he should be avoided in all formats.
