TE Cook seeing interest from Eagles

Add Jared Cook's name to the list of tight ends the Eagles could potentially be targeting in next weekend's draft.

Cook has not had an official visit with the Eagles, but said the Birds are showing interest in him.

"I met with pretty much the whole coaching staff at the combine," he told me during a phone interview last week. "They were great guys. I just got a good vibe from them when I walked in the room. They really welcomed me."

A 6-foot-5, 246-pound South Carolina product, Cook was a standout at the Scouting Combine, running a 4.50 40-yard dash, the fastest time among tight ends. He was also the top performer in the vertical jump.

He said he's visited with the Bills and also had trips scheduled to Oakland and New Orleans. Representatives from the Rams, Dolphins, Jaguars and Browns have also traveled to see Cook.

Eagles tight ends coach Tom Melvin attended his Pro Day.

One of the things he and others wanted to know was if Cook would be able to get it done as a blocker at the NFL level.

"They want to know about my blocking ability, see if I could actually block," Cook said. "I just told them I'm a willing blocker and I can get the job done. There's just some technique things.

"Coach [Steve] Spurrier had a spread offense. We weren't really required to do much blocking."

Cook was recruited as a wide receiver, but was asked to switch to tight end during his sophomore season. He had 37 catches for 573 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 15.5 yards per reception last season.

He's not sure where he's going to end up, but Cook said Philadelphia would be a "great place" to play.

"It is hard to tell because everyone is pulling out poker cards, and not showing much," he said.

Eagles GM Tom Heckert was asked about the possibility of drafting a tight end when he met with reporters last week.

"It's a very interesting group because now in college football with all this spread stuff, there are a lot (of tight ends) you never see on the line of scrimmage ever," he said, per Paul Domowitch of the Daily News. "At that position, what you're looking at is a lot of big receivers. You just don't see them block."

Here are some video highlights of Cook.