Fantasy Football 2015: 5 Undervalued Tight Ends

Nov 23, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; St. Louis Rams tight end Jared Cook (89) stiff arms San Diego Chargers defensive back Darrell Stuckey (25) during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Jared Cook, St. Louis Rams

Jared Cook has quietly been a serviceable (but not outstanding) fantasy football tight end for the last four seasons. He’s averaged over 5 fantasy points per game in each of those seasons, including two games with at least 10 fantasy points in each of those seasons. In 2011, 2013, and 2014, Cook finished in the top 15 among tight ends in fantasy scoring.

Those numbers may not seem outstanding, but we must keep in mind that he has never had a consistently good quarterback throwing him the ball, and has been on very sub-average teams in Tennessee and St. Louis. Now, Cook is playing on a team that is actually hoping to be competitive, and will be playing with quarterback Nick Foles who has shown a good deal of success over the last few seasons.

Nick Foles has a 15-9 record as a starter over the last three seasons, throwing for 6,753 yards with 46 touchdowns to only 17 interceptions. If he can stay on the field he should be an upgrade for all of the Rams’ offensive weapons.

Cook has shown the potential for some big games, and Nick Foles has a knack for throwing the ball down field, something that should benefit the 6’4″ tight end. In his 24 career starts, Foles’s 46 touchdowns is 2 more than the Rams have had in their last 32 games. Now, Foles should help to boost Cook’s touchdown stats, as he has never had more than 5 touchdowns in a season.

In ESPN drafts, Rams tight end Jared Cook is currently the 28th tight end being drafted, and is owned in only 3% of leagues. This is what makes him one of the most undervalued tight ends, as he’s certainly got the ability to be a top-ten tight end but is being drafted as though he is unlikely to have any value at all.

Because of his low draft position, there’s certainly no need to reach to get Cook, but if you’re trying to wait until the final round to take a tight end or pick up a second player at the position, looking Cook’s way may pay off in the end.

Next: The Steady Scorer