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| Dallas Morning News |
Jared Cook (52 catches, 634 yards (12.2
ypc), 3 TD): D+
Led Rams in receptions for the second
straight season yet manages not to be an impact offensive player.
Really disappears for long stretches of games. Reliable on out
routes, and didn't drop as many passes as last year, but blew a TD
against Dallas and still misses a number of catches that you
shouldn't have to be a Pro Bowl TE to adjust to. Marginally better
blocker than last year but still fails in the clutch too often and
there are still plays where he's a disinterested observer. Also needs
to use tools at his disposal other than blatant offensive pass
interference to get open. Mouthed off at Austin Davis when he didn't
deserve it, mouthed off about the Rams getting outcoached when they
did deserve it... probably should still mouth off less. I don't see
how he can be considered the kind of difference-maker on offense the
Rams are paying for. Since the Rams signed Cook, I would say Miami,
Kansas City, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago,
Carolina and probably even his old Tennessee team have gotten better
at the position than where the Rams are now. They're paying top 10
money for a TE who isn't even top 20.
Lance Kendricks (27 catches, 259 yards
(9.6 ypc), 5 TD): D+
Could be the most reliable goal line
target among the Ram TEs but doesn't offer a whole lot the other 90
yards of the field. His effort is not an issue at all but the quality
of his blocking declined visibly over 2014. Missed a fair share of
blocking assignments in the running and passing games. Saw nothing
last year to validate the former 2nd-round pick as much more than
Just A Guy.
Cory Harkey (8 catches, 55 yards (6.9
ypc), 1 TD): C-
Was fine as a fullback. Has not
developed into much of a receiving threat. Missed more blocks this
year.
Alex Bayer (no catches, 1 fumble
recovery on special teams): D
Justice Cunningham (no statistics): D
Not going for harsh criticism of the
young TEs here; D is my standard Just A Guy grade. Neither saw very
much of the field. Bayer showed upside in preseason, and Cunningham
seems to have shown plenty of upside to the coaches.
Looking ahead: As unimpressed as I have
been with Cook after two seasons, he's still the Rams' leading receiver, and it's not as if they'll be in the bidding for Julius Thomas or Jordan Cameron. I see little
reason Bayer and Cunningham can't replace UFA Kendricks, possibly
with Cunningham getting plenty of snaps as a blocking TE and Bayer
getting in as a red zone receiver. I think Harkey's blocking and
special teams play are enough to keep him safe, but no guarantees
there, either.
RamView's move: That's my move, no
move. Kendricks moves on in this scenario, so it wouldn't bother me
if the Rams added someone like Nick Boyle (Delaware) or Devin Mahina
(BYU) on day 3 of the draft.
Shoot the moon: If Kendricks doesn't
return, the odds of the Rams drafting a TE go way up. Because of his
blocking skills, I assume Nick O'Leary (Florida State) would be high
on their list, probably in the third round.
Rams prediction: The Rams are
admittedly in far better position to evaluate Kendricks' blocking
than I am, and I know he was a fine blocker 2 years ago, so I expect
them to make a decent effort to re-sign him. I also don't expect a
very hot market for him around the league, though Jim Thomas
speculates interest from Josh McDaniels in New England. Kendricks
will return at a reasonable rate and the Rams will keep the TE unit
intact for another mediocre season at the position.
-$-
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