St. Louis Rams Roster Preview: Tight Ends

By Matt LaPan | Jul 10, 2015

Tight Ends on the Roster: Alex Bayer, Jared Cook, Justice Cunningham, Cory Harkey, Lance Kendricks, Brad Smelley

Tight end has become a “money” position in the NFL. The big, physical athletic freaks that roam the middle of the field have been terrorizing opposing defenses in recent years. While the St. Louis Rams do not have the elite group in the NFL, their tight end position has become a strength thanks to players such as Jared Cook, Lance Kendricks and others.

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The group could see a big boost in 2015 as the Rams find stability at the quarterback position in Nick Foles. Foles has been known to look for tight ends in his time as a starter with the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2013, Foles’ best career season, Brent Celek and Zach Ertz combined for 971 yards and 10 touchdowns. In 2014, those same two tight ends combined for 1,042 yards and four touchdowns. These stats should be a promising look into the potential stats for the lead tight ends, Cook and Kendricks.

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Cook has been, and should continue to be the leader of the tight end group. In each of his two seasons with the Rams he has amassed career-highs in targets and receptions. In 2014, Cook was targeted 99 times and grabbed 52 receptions for 634 yards and three touchdowns.

In Cook’s first two seasons with the Rams, he has hauled in eight touchdowns. This matches his total in four years with the Tennessee Titans. Cook started just six games during 2014, a number that was curious and could see a steep rise in 2015.

Kendricks will likely be the secondary tight end option. In his four seasons with the Rams he has proven to be one of the more versatile offensive players on the roster. Kendricks has been a fullback, wide receiver and tight end. In 2014, Kendricks made the move back to tight end and grabbed 27 receptions for 259 yards and five touchdowns. The 6’3″ tight end developed into a reliable red zone threat in 2014, and should continue that progression in 2015.

St. Louis Rams tight end Lance Kendricks (88) spikes the ball after catching a 23 yard pass during the second half against the New York Giants at the Edward Jones Dome. New York defeated St. Louis 37-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The battle for the third tight end spot could be one of the top position battles to watch in Training Camp. The likely final tight end spot on the roster will come down to Bayer, Cunningham, Harkey and Smelley. Harkey is the returning third tight end, taking on a role as a blocking tight end in 2014. He is entering his fourth year with the team – grabbing eight receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown in 2014. He brings solid blocking and good special teams value.

Bayer, Cunningham and Smelley were all on the Rams roster in 2014, but Bayer was the only one that saw any time on the field. He played in six games, recovering one fumble in a primarily special teams role. Cunningham is the former Mr. Irrelevant from 2013. He brings a little more athleticism than Bayer or Smelley, but is not a polished blocker. Smelley is a better blocker, but has struggled to hang on to a roster spot throughout his career.

Projected Depth Chart

TE1 – Jared Cook

TE2 – Lance Kendricks; Cory Harkey

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