The Chargers have a roster filled with talented players. For the most part, a good chunk of them have lived up to or exceeded their expectations. However, there are a few that seem to downplay them.
According to Pro Football Network, tight end Jared Cook is Los Angeles’ most overrated player.
Cook has been a quality journeyman tight end throughout his career, as the Chargers are his sixth team in 13 years. Regardless, he’s 34 years old and nowhere near the same field stretcher he used to be. He averaged just 3.4 yards after the catch per reception in 2020, along with 2 broken tackles. Furthermore, Cook played less than 50% of offensive snaps the last two years. While a serviceable addition, Cook is little more than a stop-gap as Los Angeles aims to replace Hunter Henry.
L.A. lost one of their best skill players of the last few seasons in Hunter Henry this offseason and filled the void with Cook.
The signing wasn’t a splash, but it was serviceable. While he isn’t on the same caliber as Henry, Cook is a reliable and experienced player at the position who is familiar with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and the scheme he is going to implement.
Even at over 30 years of age, Cook has still proven to be reliable, having posted 312 receptions for 2,783 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns the past four seasons, with one Pro Bowl appearance coming back in 2018 with the Raiders.
Cook hasn’t received a lot of recognition in the media, whereas someone like wide receiver Mike Williams has but has failed to live up to his first round status, failing to surpass 50 catches in his career and has just seven touchdowns over the past two seasons.