Why Everett us poised for big game vs Bengals...

Why Gerald Everett is poised for a big game against struggling Bengals

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Cameron DaSilva

Rams fans have been waiting for Gerald Everett’s “breakout season” ever since he came into the NFL. As a former second-round pick drafted by a team with a head coach who has a history of working with tight ends, Everett appeared poised to make an instant impact.

He was limited as a rookie and not heavily involved last season, but towards the end of the year, he began to emerge as the No. 1 tight end in Los Angeles. That has carried over into 2019 with Everett starting to break through in the Rams offense.

He’s been targeted 34 times in the last four games, which is third-most on the team behind Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. Incredibly, he’s been targeted 12 more times than Brandin Cooks in that span and 20 more times than Tyler Higbee.

His catch rate is a disappointing 52.9%, hauling in only 18 of those targets. That’s not all his fault, though, as Jared Goff has missed Everett on deep passes several times. Still, Everett turned those 18 catches into 239 yards and two touchdowns.

That’s the third-most yards by any tight end in the NFL since Week 4 and tied for the most touchdowns in that stretch. No other tight end in the league has been targeted more than Everett in the last four games, either.

As good as he’s been in the last four weeks, Everett has a chance to continue it against the Bengals on Sunday in London. Cincinnati has been allowing big plays to tight ends all season, which opens the door for Everett to have a big game.

According to Inside Edge, the Bengals have allowed 14.6 yards per reception to tight ends this season, which is the most in the NFL. Everett has averaged 11.8 yards per catch, tied for 10th-best of any tight end.

He’s been great after the catch, too. Everett averages 6.2 yards after the catch this year – tied for 10th among tight ends – while the Bengals give up the most yards after the catch on average in the NFL (7.3).

Cincinnati hasn’t figured out a way to cover tight ends through its first seven games. The Bengals have used everything from safeties to defensive ends in man coverage against tight ends this season, just about all of which have failed.

Everett’s best potential comes in the red zone where the Rams have used him heavily. He’s been targeted seven times in the red zone, which is tied for the fourth-most of any tight end, according to Inside Edge. Cincinnati has been surprisingly good in the red area this year, allowing touchdowns on just 40.7 percent of opponents’ possessions, but Everett’s individual matchup at tight end should have some success.

Look for him to continue his strong stretch of play with yet another good performance against a lesser opponent.