Jared Cook

Jared Alan Cook (born April 7, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL).

He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft.

He has also played for the St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers.

Cook attended North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Georgia.

While there, he played wide receiver for the Bulldogs high school football team.

Cook played college football at the University of South Carolina under head coach Steve Spurrier.

During his career he started 15 of 36 games for the Gamecocks at tight end, finishing his career with 73 receptions for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns.

Cook entered the 2009 NFL draft and attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana.

He was projected to be a third round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts.

At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Cook was ranked as the fourth best tight end prospect in the draft by NFL draft analyst Mike Mayock.

The Tennessee Titans selected Cook in the third round (89th overall) of the 2009 NFL draft.

Cook was the third tight end drafted in 2009.

On July 2, 2009, the Tennessee Titans signed Cook to a four-year, $2.45 million contract that included a signing bonus of $711,000.

Throughout training camp, Cook competed against Alge Crumpler and Craig Stevens for a role as the primary backup tight end.

Head coach Jeff Fisher named Cook the fourth tight end on the Titans' depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Bo Scaife, Alge Crumpler, and Craig Stevens.

On September 20, 2009, he made his professional debut in the Titans' Week 2 loss to the Houston Texans after being a healthy scratch the previous week.

On October 4, 2009, Cook caught two passes for 11 yards during a 37–17 loss at the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4.

Cook caught his first NFL reception from quarterback Kerry Collins for a five-yard gain in the third quarter.

Cook finished his rookie season with nine receptions for 74 receiving yards in 14 games and no starts.

Cook competed against Craig Stevens throughout training camp to be the second tight end on the depth chart after Alge Crumpler departed during free agency.

Offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger named Cook the third tight end on the depth chart to start the season, behind Bo Scaife and Craig Stevens.

The Tennessee Titans traded their second round pick in the 2010 NFL draft to the New England Patriots in order to draft Cook.

On December 19, 2010, Cook earned his first career start after Bo Scaife was benched as a possible result of comments he made about a divided locker room.

He finished the Titans 31–17 victory against the Houston Texans with three catches for 42 receiving yards.

On December 26, 2010, Cook caught five passes for a season-high 96 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown during a 34–14 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs.

He caught a 22-yard touchdown reception off a pass by quarterback Kerry Collins in the third quarter to mark his first career touchdown.

Cook appeared in all 16 games and made one start in 2010 while making 29 receptions for 361 receiving yards and a touchdown.

He also had a career-high six combined tackles on special teams.

On January 28, 2011, the Titans fired head coach Jeff Fisher after they finished fourth in the AFC South with a 6–10 record in 2010.

During training camp, Cook competed to be the starting tight end against Craig Stevens after Bo Scaife departed during free agency.

Head coach Mike Munchak named Cook the second tight end on the depth chart to start the regular season, behind Craig Stevens.

On October 2, 2011, Cook caught two passes for 93 yards and scored on an 80-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck during a 31–13 win at the Cleveland Browns.

In Week 15, he had a season-high nine catches for 103 yards as the Titans lost at the Indianapolis Colts by a score of 27–13.

The following week, Cook caught eight passes for a season-high 169 yards and a touchdown during a 23–17 win at the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16.

Cook caught a 55-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in the first quarter.

Cook appeared in all 16 games and had five starts in 2011 while catching 49 passes for a career-high 759 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

He also made five solo tackles while appearing on special teams in 2011.

Cook returned as the secondary tight end behind Craig Stevens in 2012 under offensive coordinator Chris Palmer.

On December 9, 2012, Cook caught three passes for 20 yards and a touchdown before exiting during a 27–23 loss at the Indianapolis Colts due to an injury.

Cook finished the 2012 season with 44 receptions for 523 yards and four touchdown receptions in 13 games and five starts.