The Los Angeles Rams handed Alex Cook an opportunity to fight for an NFL roster spot less than a month ago.
Cook gave them a memorable reason to keep watching today.
The veteran defensive back intercepted a pass near the goal line off New Orleans Saints‘ quarterback Spencer Rattler and took it 100 yards for a touchdown during the third quarter of the Rams’ preseason matchup at SoFi Stadium.
The NFL quickly shared the play on X, writing, “ALEX COOK COOKED UP A PICK-6.”
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Cook’s touchdown stretched Los Angeles’ lead to 27-0 after the Rams entered halftime ahead 20-0.
The Saints’ official halftime update noted that Los Angeles quarterback Stetson Bennett had completed 19 of 31 passes for 181 yards while adding two rushing touchdowns before the break.
For Cook, however, the play was huge as he entered the afternoon buried on Los Angeles’ unofficial depth chart and jostling for one of the final spots in a crowded secondary.
Cook’s UFL Production Is Following Him to Los Angeles
The Rams only signed Cook on July 27 to give him roughly a month to make enough of an impression to survive roster cuts.
His journey to Los Angeles came through the UFL.
Cook played for the Birmingham Stallions in the spring and finished the regular season with 45 total tackles, six pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery.
Explosive defensive scores were already part of the package.
Cook returned his lone UFL interception 70 yards for a touchdown and later produced a 73-yard scoop-and-score after forcing a loose ball. His 100-yard return against New Orleans continued a notable run of takeaway production across two leagues.
He also brought some previous NFL experience with him.
Cook appeared in 10 games with two starts for Carolina in 2023 before later spending time with the Giants and Bears.
100-Yard Return Gives Rams Another Safety Decision
Cook still has ground to make up.
The Rams’ unofficial depth chart lists him fourth at one of the two safety spots, placing him firmly in the group competing for reserve jobs.
He opened the preseason by recording four tackles in Los Angeles’ 20-12 win over Kansas City, then found a much louder way to emerge one week later.
A single preseason play won’t settle a roster battle, but a 100-yard defensive touchdown is difficult to overlook when teams are evaluating players near the bottom of the depth chart.
Cook arrived in Los Angeles with a history of creating those plays.
Saturday provided the Rams with their best look yet at that ability against NFL competition.
With one preseason game remaining, Cook suddenly has a highlight that could make the final safety decisions much more interesting.
LA Rams’ Journeyman Makes 100-Yard Roster Statement vs. Saints