Countdown to Camp: Rams returning group of tight ends


Myles Simmons

TIGHT ENDS

Newcomers: Keenan Brown, Romeo Brooker, Kendall Blanton

The Rams’ group of tight ends isn’t necessarily well-known, but it certainly contains candidates to have a breakout season.

In the first two years of head coach Sean McVay’s tenure with L.A., tight ends have averaged 53.5 receptions for 613.5 yards with four touchdowns per season. That’s not just one player — that’s all tight ends. So if there’s room for improvement for a team that’s finished No. 1 and No. 2 in scoring in the last two years, this is one position where it could come from.

Tyler Higbee is entering his fourth season, and presumably his third as a full-time starter. His number over the last two years have been remarkably similar — 25 receptions for 295 yards with one touchdown in 2017, followed by 24 receptions for 292 yards with two touchdowns in 2018. Higbee also had a notable touchdown reception late in the NFC Championship game in New Orleans. He’s strong as an in-line blocker, but can also make the tough catch on the sideline. He played 71.6 percent of the Rams’ offensive snaps last year, in on most of the first- and second-down situations.

Gerald Everett, Los Angeles’ first pick in the 2017 draft, split time with Higbee last year — mainly entering the game in known-passing situations. He caught 33 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns. He also took a couple carries for 16 yards, displaying his versatility. Everett had a strong offseason program, making a number of impressive catches day after day during OTAs. If tight end production is going to improve this season, it appears as if Everett will be a significant reason why.

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