The Los Angeles Rams cut one of their most productive receivers over the offseason, shedding the salary of veteran tight end Jared Cook largely for salary-cap purposes. Cook led the Rams in catches (142) and receiving yards (1,786) in the three-year span since he joined them in 2013, and now others will have to fill that void.
ESPN Fantasy Projection: 296.2 yards, 1.6 TDs
Over or under: Slightly over on both. Kendricks has averaged 254 yards and four touchdowns over the last three years and will get more opportunities in 2016. Cook caught for 481 yards last year -- and significantly more the previous four seasons -- and his departure paves the way for Kendricks to potentially become the Rams' primary pass-catching tight end. Tight ends, running backs and slot receivers tend to absorb the bulk of the catches in the Rams' offense. On Saturday, only two of the first 10 completions went to wide receivers.
Who else should see time: One guy who could steal some of Kendricks' receptions is rookie Tyler Higbee, who was taken in the fourth round. Higbee has impressed throughout training camp and caught five passes for 49 yards in the preseason opener. He has the athleticism and skill set that allows the Rams to move him from sideline to sideline, and he will probably be used prominently.
