Week 9: Cook vs. 49ers
Jared Cook caught one pass for 11 yards in the Rams’ Week 8 loss to the Chiefs. He was targeted just three times in the loss as quarterback Austin Davis spread the ball around to 10 different receivers. Cook isn’t consistent enough or featured enough in the Rams’ inconsistent offense to be a worthy fantasy starter. He ranks as our No. 14 overall TE for Week 9 and unless you’re desperate, avoid him against the Niners.
Week 8: Cook vs. Chiefs
Jared Cook caught 3-of-3 targets for 25 yards in the Rams’ Week 7 win over the Seahawks. We thought that Cook could be a sneaky start last week due to the matchup but quarterback Austin Davis spread the ball around to eight different receivers as he took what Seattle gave him (mostly short passes that allowed him to get the ball out of his hand quickly). Cook was quietly having a decent season from a “real” football standpoint, but he continues to disappoint in fantasy. He’s our No. 15 overall TE for Week 8 and should be avoided.
Week 7: Cook vs. 49ers
Jared Cook caught four-of-11 targets for 74 yards in the Rams’ Week 6 loss to the 49ers. With Austin Davis under duress for most of the game, the quarterback looked Cook’s direction early and often in the short-to-intermediate game. Cook was robbed of an addition catch and yardage late in the second quarter when he was flagged on a bogus pass interference penalty, but otherwise had a solid night. Tight ends have given Seattle’s defense problems this year, making Cook a low-end TE1 in deeper leagues. He’s not going to be a consistent fantasy player but at least his stock is on the rise. He’s our 14th overall TE for Week 7.
Week 6: Cook vs. 49ers
Jared Cook caught only four of his 10 targets for 44 yards and no touchdowns in the Rams' Week 5 loss to the Eagles. He could have had a more productive day had some of the 10 passes thrown his way were catchable, but quarterback Austin Davis was under duress for most of the first half. Even with the amount of passes thrown his way, Cook continues to underwhelm. He has the size to overpower defensive backs and the speed to be a mismatch versus linebackers, yet he fails to tear up the stat sheet. He ranks as our No. 14 tight end for Week 6 and should be considered a TE2 in all formats.
Week 5: Cook vs. Eagles
Jared Cook caught a team-high seven passes on a team-high nine targets for 75 yards in the Rams' Week 3 loss to the Cowboys. He's emerging as one of Austin Davis' favorite targets, although that doesn't mean Cook is now on the fantasy radar. He ranks as our No. 17 overall TE and is still more of a TE2 than a low-end starter. Leave him on your wavier wire/bench.
Week 3: Cook vs. Cowboys
Jared Cook caught all four of his targets for 46 yards in the Rams' Week 2 win over the Buccaneers. Cook finished second behind Brian Quick for targets and tied with Austin Pettis and fellow tight end Lance Kendricks. He has a great matchup this Sunday against a Dallas defense that has issues with opposing tight ends, but Cook remains a dicey start. Most of his routes limit his ability for YAC yards and he plays in a run-first offense. Cook is our No. 19 overall TE for Week 3.
Week 2: Cook vs. Bucs
Jared Cook caught four passes for 56 yards and was targeted eight times in the Rams' 34-6 loss to the Vikings. The targets were second only to Brian Quick as Cook saw plenty of action underneath and near the sidelines. Despite the action, Cook remains a TE2 in fantasy due to the Rams' shaky quarterback situation. He's our No. 21 TE for Week 2.
Week 1: Cook vs. Vikings
Despite offering the size and speed to be a dangerous mismatch in the slot, Jared Cook remains limited as a fantasy player. There are going to be games where he lights up the stat sheet, but just like last year there will be plenty of other games when he's held in check. His production will largely depend on the matchup, which makes him a risky fantasy option throughout the season. He currently ranks as our No. 22 overall TE for Week 1 and should be viewed as a TE2 only.
Fantasy Upside
Given his size and speed, Jared Cook is a mismatch against linebackers and safeties in coverage. He remains a key part of the Rams' offense as a move tight end and even saw time as a receiving option out of the backfield in preseason. He's quietly had a good camp and if Kenny Britt and Brian Quick can parlay the success they've had in preseason into great regular seasons, things will open up even more for Cook in the passing game.
Fantasy Downside
Cook has teased fantasy owners since his second year in the league and yet, the highest he's climbed in the rankings is TE11 (2014). He tends to struggle when defenses jam him at the line and despite his size and athleticism, he has issues generating separation on a consistent basis. He also plays for a run-first team and will likely be behind Britt, Quick and/or Tavon Austin for targets this season.
Bottom Line
If Cook was going to emerge as a legit TE1, it was going to be last year when the Rams installed the spread offense. But they struggled to find consistency in the first few weeks of the season and by Week 6, they went back to Jeff Fisher's ground-and-pound approach once RB Zac Stacy emerged as a featured back. The Rams will remain a run-first offense, which will limit Cook's opportunities in the passing game (a passing game that is now without starting quarterback Sam Bradford). There will once again be weeks when Cook goes off (such as Week 1 last year), but his production is largely predicated on the matchup. His fantasy potential remains no more than a TE2.
