3 veteran tight ends Commanders can sign as Logan Thomas insurance

2. Jared Cook

Jared Cook has long been one of the most underrated tight ends in the NFL. That probably has something to do with his propensity to commit big drops, but he’s been a serviceable security blanket for the better part of 10 years.

At 34 years old, Cook is clearly nearing the end of his career, but you wouldn’t know it based on his production with the Chargers last season. In 16 games, he compiled 48 catches for 564 yards and four touchdowns. His TDs were his fewest since 2017, but his catches and targets were the most he’s managed since 2018.

Cook hasn’t played more than 60 percent of the snaps since 2018, and that aligns perfectly with his projected role in Washington. At 6-foot-5 and 246 pounds, Cook and Thomas, who’s 6-6, 250, would give quarterback Carson Wentz two big bodies to target up the seam and in the middle of the field.

Given how much Wentz relied on his TEs in Philadelphia, it would behoove the Commanders to have a quality backup behind Thomas, who endured both a hamstring injury and torn ACL last campaign. With Seals-Jones now playing for the rival Giants, Cook could step in and fill RSJ’s backup role without a hitch.

As someone who’s only missed 17 games over his 13-year career, Cook makes perfect sense as a second-wave pickup for Washington.