Free Agency Rumor Mill: Chicago Bears Will Make an Offer to Tight End Jared Cook

Aug 27, 2011; Nashville,TN, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Jared Cook (89) rushes against the Chicago Bears during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

After the Tennessee Titans decided to not to apply the franchise tag to tight end Jared Cook, Chicago Bears fans started to drool at the prospects of an athletic, pass catching tight end to add to the Bears’ offensive repertoire.  Cook has a great blend of size and speed and many feel he’s a little raw but could be ready to blow up.  The Chicago Sun Times’ Sean Jensen cites a league source who believes Cook will draw strong interest from the Bears. 

Cook has dealt with inconsistent quarterback play in Nashville the last couple of years, but despite that, he’s put up 93 catches for nearly 1300 yards and 7 TD’s.

There may be more accomplished tight ends on the market but Cook’s upside certainly will make him an interesting prospect.  How many tight ends run a sub-4.5 40-yard dash?  If you look at Cook’s ranking on Pro Football Focus, he ranks an very average 34th among tight ends.   Compare that to a #58 ranking for tight end Kellen Davis, who also ranked dead last among tight ends in pass catching percentage.  The Bears have only one way to go – up.

Other tight ends who could draw interest in the free agent market include Martellus Bennett, Dustin Keller, Tony Gonzalez, Anthony Fasono, Fred Davis, Delainie Walker and Brandon Meyers.  Green Bay Packer Jermichael Finley might be cut by the Packers in a cost cutting move, so that might be another option.

A lot of pundits have the Bears considering a top draft prospect like Tyler Eiffert and Zach Ertz, especially if the top offensive line prospects are already gone by the time they choose at #20.  If the Bears can free up some cap space and grab a free agent tight end, it will help add some clarity to their draft plans.

What do you think Bears fans?  Would Jared Cook be a good fit for the Bears?  Would another tight end be a better fit for the Bears?  Would you rather see them put their limited free agent resources elsewhere?