When Jared Cook signed with the Saints during Free Agency, we labeled it “an ideal fit.” In his brief time with the team and in OTAs, Cook’s done nothing but justify this, making a great first impression on Drew Brees and his coaches. According to Brees, Cook has “certainly impressed,” has “got a great feel for the game” and is “going to fit very well in our offense.” After chasing for the “Next Jimmy Graham” for the past four seasons, both the Saints and fantasy owners may have found their guy. With insane size and athleticism, a creative offense, and a stark QB upgrade, Cook could truly blow-up as a Top-3 TE in 2019.
At 6’5″ with a 39.5 inch vertical and rumored 4.37 forty, Cook drips in mismatch potential, especially in the Red Zone. Brees is already enthused, noting, “He’s got great length, so he’s got a big catch radius. You feel confident with those 50-50 balls. You feel like there’s a lot of places where you can throw it where he can get it and the other guy can’t.”
The coaches certainly have noticed as well. TEs Coach Dan Campbell gushed, “A phenomenal athlete… runs like the wind. He’s got 35-inch arms, he is long — man is he long– and he is fast.” In fact, Campbell said Cook’s been so impressive they plan to “dust off some old Jimmy Graham plays.”
Meanwhile, Sean Payton also sees a heavy YAC role, gushing: “He’s smart and he’s got range,” Payton said. “You see his route savviness and his ability to get in and out of cuts, and the best thing he does is run after the catch… he’s real good that way.”
Without an established third behind Alpha Hog Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara, Cook could easily slide into the No.3 role of the league’s third-highest scoring attack. As a Red Zone terror, just the TD upside alone is worth an stab. Still, with praise pouring in from coaches and QBs alike, expect an even greater role that gives Cook a shot to break his career high 68 catch, 896 yard, and 6 TDs from last year.
