The New Orleans Saints reached a contract agreement (per head coach Sean Payton) with free agent tight end Jared Cook, formerly of the Oakland Raiders. Cook was the best tight end on the free agent market and, arguably, one of the best available players at any position. Signing him is a big win for the Saints. Here’s five quick facts to know about the newest member of the Saints:
5. Cook has gotten better with age
Good things come to those that wait, and Cook had his best season 10 years into the NFL. He posted career-best volume numbers in targets (101), receptions (68), receiving yards total (896), and touchdown catches (6). But he also logged his best efforts in efficiency; stats like catch rate (67.3-percent) and yards per reception (13.2). His receptions per game (4.3) and receiving yards per game (56.0) were also the highest of his career. With venerable tight ends like Ben Watson (aged 38), Antonio Gates (38), Jason Witten (36), and Greg Olsen (34) playing deep into their 30’s, there’s plenty of reason to think Cook (just 31) can continue to play at a high level.
4. Cook was selected for his first Pro Bowl in 2018
It took 10 seasons in the NFL and stops with four different teams, but Cook was finally recognized with his first appearance at the Pro Bowl in 2019, representing the Raiders on the AFC roster. Cook caught three of his five targets in the all-star game, picking up 71 yards. That’s a very nice rate of 23.7 yards per catch, making him one of the biggest performers from the Pro Bowl.
3. Cook studied and played at South Carolina in college
Cook was a big part of the Gamecocks offense from 2006 to 2008, recording 73 catches for 1107 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in his career. Initially recruited as a wide receiver, he lined up there in his first season before bulking up and converting to tight end as a sophomore. He rapidly developed from there, recording most of production in his second and third seasons before joining the NFL. Cook put on a show at the combine, timing a 4.49-second 40-yard dash and a 41-inch vertical jump. He’s still one of the NFL’s better athletes at tight end.
2. Cook’s NFL journey has been lined with bad quarterbacks
With the exception of one year with Aaron Rodgers (in which Cook played just 10 games, and Rodgers deigned to target him only 51 times) Cook’s quarterback history is a series of bad-to-average passers: Vince Young, Kerry Collins, Matt Hasselbeck, Sam Bradford, Kellen Clemens, Nick Foles, Case Keenum, and Derek Carr. Working with Drew Brees in an offense as friendly to tight ends as the Saints’ will be a major upgrade for Cook.
1. Cook’s best routes are Brees’ best throws
The routes Cook runs best happen to be some of the throws Brees is the most effective at hitting. Per Pro Football Focus, Cook caught 18 of his 24 targets on quick out routes last year for 155 yards, averaging 6.7 yards gained after the catch. That ability to turn upfield quickly and run through or past tacklers appeared on crossers, where Cook reeled in 9 of 13 targets for 177 yards (averaging 8.1 yards after the catch). He also excelled on go routes, picking up 175 yards and three touchdowns on 7 of is 11 targets. Cook should make plays for Brees easily in the intermediary while also threatening defenses downfield.
