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There seemed to be only one certainty about the Rams’ offense going into the 2017 season, that the tight ends would thrive under Coach Sean McVay, who adored the position as offensive coordinator in Washington.
It didn’t work out. While the Rams turned running back Todd Gurley into a masterful receiver and got more than expected out of receiver Robert Woods, the tight ends faded to the background and caught a total of only 49 passes (out of a team total of 320) and three touchdowns (out of 28).
There’s still plenty of reason for optimism, because the Rams have three tight ends who are young, talented and versatile.
The question this offseason might be, will the Rams complement that group with a new veteran? As part of an ongoing series, here’s an in-depth glance at the Rams’ situation at tight end:
2017 STARTERS: Tyler Higbee (25 receptions, 295 yards, one touchdown).
RESERVES: Gerald Everett (16 receptions, 244 yards, two touchdowns), Derek Carrier (8 receptions, 71 yards, 0 touchdowns).
PENDING FREE AGENTS: Carrier.
GRADING 2017
Everett, the Rams’ second-round draft pick, got some attention at the start of training camp when he opined that he and Higbee could be as good as the talented Washington tight-end duo of Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis.
It didn’t work out. Higbee, for a second consecutive year, looked strong in camp, and perhaps on the verge of a breakout, but then caught only 25 passes for 295 yards and one touchdown.
Everett had an intriguing, boom-or-bust rookie season. He totaled 244 receiving yards, but 152 of those yards came on three catches. Listed at 6-foot-3, 245 points, Everett displayed an impressive variety of skills but couldn’t consistently remain a part of the Rams’ attack.
The Rams brought in veteran Derek Carrier, who knew McVay’s system from Washington, and Carrier was reliable and made a handful of nice catches. GRADE: B-
ANALYZING 2018
It’s time to find out about these guys. Everett seems to have the highest ceiling, and if he can improve his consistency, he should become a significant downfield threat for quarterback Jared Goff.
Higbee is more of a question mark. He’s been solid but far from spectacular, even though he seems to have great rapport with Goff. Higbee ended his 2016 rookie season well and had some good moments early in 2017 but then faded and played a small role in the offense late in the season.
The wild card is Temarrick Hemingway, who broke his leg in a preseason game and missed the entire season. He’s another playmaker, in the mold of Everett, but the question is whether he can offer anything different that would justify a roster spot.
It’s highly doubtful that the Rams would use another draft pick on a tight end. Carrier, who is only 27 years old, easily could return in the same role he filled in 2017, or the Rams could look for a slight upgrade on the free-agent market. LEVEL OF NEED: LOW
Coming next: Chargers tight ends