ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Rams added a pass catcher to their ranks on the first day of free agency, but it wasn't a wide receiver.
The Rams signed Tennessee tight end Jared Cook to a five-year contract on Tuesday.
Cook, 25, has top-notch measurables. He's 6-foot-5, 248 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in under 4.5 seconds.
Cook is known more as a pass catcher than a blocker. He had 44 catches for 523 yards and four touchdowns in 2012 and 49 catches for 759 yards and three touchdowns in 2011.
The addition of Cook along with Lance Kendricks gives the Rams two receiving threats at tight end.
Cook is reunited with Rams head coach Jeff Fisher, who was at the helm of the Titans when they picked the South Carolina product in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
The Rams also brought back an important piece of a pass rush that enabled them to tie for the NFL lead in sacks last season as they signed defensive end William Hayes less than an hour before he was slated to become a free agent.
Hayes, 27, had seven sacks last season coming off the bench as part of the Rams' defensive line rotation.
The signing of Hayes means the Rams will return their top four defensive ends -- Chris Long, Robert Quinn, Eugene Sims and Hayes -- next season.
The Rams are reportedly interested in Miami defensive Jake Long, a four-time Pro Bowl selection and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
The Rams likely would move Rodger Saffold from left tackle to right tackle if they signed Jake Long.
The Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles also are rumored to be interested in Jake Long.
Jake Long has played in 74 NFL games, but he carries injury concerns. He finished the last two seasons on injured reserve, last year with a torn triceps and two years ago with a torn biceps.
Both Jake Long and Detroit safety Louis Delmas reportedly will visit St. Louis.
The Rams are shopping for safeties after releasing Quintin Mikell on Monday.
Mikell, 32, has started every game the last two seasons for the Rams. He had 83 tackles and three sacks, but no interceptions last season.
Craig Dahl, the Rams' other starting safety from last season, is an unrestricted free agent.
The Rams have tendered an offer to safety Darian Stewart, a restricted free agent. They've also re-signed defensive tackle Jermelle Cudjo, a restricted free agent.
Delmas, 25, a second-round pick in 2009, has missed 13 games over the last two seasons due to injury.
Delmas had 38 tackles and an interception in eight games last season. His best season was his rookie campaign in 2009 when he had 94 tackles, a sack and two interceptions.
New Rams defensive coordinator Tim Walton was Delmas' position coach with the Lions.
Contact reporter Steve Korte at skorte@bnd.com or 239-2522.
