Jimmy Graham

Expectations are high for Jared Cook and the tight end did nothing to disappoint teammates, coaches or fans during the New Orleans Saints three-day minicamp this week. He looks primed for a big season.

During the three mini-camp practices I watched, no one caught more passes for explosive plays than the veteran free agent.

He routinely beat linebackers and safeties in coverage and showed a reliable set of hands. He used his height advantage to snare a pass over his head against tight coverage from 5-11 rookie safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and finished the play through contact. It was an impressive display of elite skill and athleticism, something the Saints haven’t had at the position since Jimmy Graham was traded in 2014.

Drew Brees has shown love for TEs in the past, as Jimmy Graham was TE2 in 2014 in PPR points and Ben Watson checked in as TE7 in 2015. Graham posted double-digit touchdowns in three of five seasons with the Saints and led the NFL in targets inside the 10-yard-line in 2013. There have been rumors of breaking out some old Graham plays for Jared Cook, who is the perfect guy to bring the strong TE back to the Saints. He averaged 12.1 PPR points per contest last year in an awful Raiders offense and managed to finish fifth among TEs in total PPR points.

Cook currently being drafted as TE8 in the sixth to seventh round and is an excellent choice for those not wanting to pay up for the top tier of TEs this season.