Patriots Free Agency Outlook, Tight Ends
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Jared Cook
Cook was just released by the Rams who, fresh off their move to L.A. have begun a purge of their high priced veterans. Also released were MLB James Laurinaitis and DE Chris Long.
Cook, 28, was originally drafted in the 3rd round (89th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft. He was due to cost $8.3 million-dollars against the salary cap in 2016 and he’ll carry $2.6 million in dead money for the Rams which should factor in his next deal.
Cook caught just 39 passes for 484 yards and no touchdowns in 2015. For a player with his cap hit, the value for the Rams just wasn’t there to retain the 6’5 veteran tight end on their move to California. Now he’ll hit the market and look for a good fit elsewhere.
Would New England be a good fit? It is debatable, but Cook is a good receiver, albeit with poor blocking skills and as a backup to Gronkowski or a 2nd option at the tight end position, he could be another intriguing option. Whether Cook would agree to being the second fiddle to Gronk is another matter.
But with Williams entrenched as a blocking tight end and with Devlin back in the fold this season, Cook could be utilized strictly as a receiver and his size along with Gronkowski could make for some interesting matchups.
As for money, they could work out a one-year, prove it type deal with the Patriots and give him a chance to play himself right back into a good contract. His guaranteed money from the Rams would make the move easily doable and the exposure he could get being in New England could be used as a teaser. That and the chance to go deep into the playoffs every season is tempting.
Next up is a player woefully under-utilized in 2015…
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