I'm wondering if there are a few more reasons for Higbee seeing more targets this year.
With Kupp, Robinson, and Jefferson missing so much time Higbee wasn't always the 4th best option on pass plays.
When Stafford is the QB his fixation on Kupp limits everyone else's targets. We've seen all the other QB's find a way to distribute the ball.
Besides that, inexperienced QBs like Wolford and Perkins probably find a TE a rather friendly option. Whether McVay was calling more plays for the TE or simply these guys looking for Higbee more it's probably a factor. Even Baker with his limited practice time could have developed a rapport with Higbee faster than with the Rams 3rd and 4th (and 5th wand 6th) string WRs.
AlbaNY_Ram
