PFF's top-graded Ram on offense: TE Tyler Higbee

[CGI_Ram]

PFF's top-graded Ram on offense: TE Tyler Higbee

PFF's top-graded Ram on offense: TE Tyler Higbee

As part of our offseason lookback, theRams.com will be taking a look at notable grades and performances for Rams players from scouting service Pro Football Focus (PFF).

First up, the player who finished with the highest offensive grade on the team: Tight end Tyler Higbee.

Higbee's offense grade of 85.9 is the third-highest by a Ram in the last three seasons, behind left tackle Andrew Whitworth's 86.1 and wide receiver Robert Woods' 86.4. It coincided with a historic December statistically which helped boost him to his best offense grade of his career.

In that month alone, the former Western Kentucky standout tallied:

• 43 of his 69 catches
• 522 of his 734 receiving yards
• 2 of his 3 touchdowns

His 69 receptions and 734 yards set new single-season franchise records for a tight end. His three touchdowns set a new single-season career-high.

Meanwhile, here were his stat lines during the final month of the season:

• 7 catches, 107 yards and one touchdown in a 34-7 win over the Cardinals
• 7 catches, 116 yards in a 28-12 win over the Seahawks
• 12 catches, 111 yards in a 44-21 loss to the Cowboys
• 9 catches, 104 yards in a 34-31 loss to the 49ers
• 8 catches, 84 yards and one touchdown in a 31-24 win over the Cardinals

Higbee registered an 81.6 offense grade or higher in three of his final five games (Week 13 vs. Cardinals, Week 14 vs. Seahawks and Week 16 vs. 49ers). Furthermore, 270 of his 401 yards after catch on the season came during that same stretch.

Those strong numbers likely also contributed to him finishing with a team-best 90.0 receiving grade. A grade of 90.0 or higher in any category is considered elite by PFF.

PFF also charts receiving by direction, including receptions, receiving targets, receiving yards, yards after catch, receiving touchdowns, interceptions,NFL Passer Rating when targeted and drops (on-target passes dropped by the receiver).

According to PFF's data, Higbee did the majority of his damage when targeted short, or 1-9 yards past the line of scrimmage, catching 46 of 52 yards for 394 yards and all three of his touchdowns in that range. He also was effective on screens, too, catching 12 of 13 targets for 111 yards with 142 yards after the catch when targeted behind the line of scrimmage.

 

[sjm1582002]

Have to wonder if two TE sets with Higbee and Everett puts better personnel on the field than the 3 wr set with Cooks (or Reynolds).

Our running game and pass protection needs all the muscle we've got.

 

[OldSchool]

We definitely saw an awakening of one Higbeast! Looking forward to next year and to see where he goes in fantasy football drafts

 

[MadGoat]

We definitely saw an awakening of one Higbeast! Looking forward to next year and to see where he goes in fantasy football drafts

He's going to be polarizing in fantasy drafts. I'm in dynasty leagues where people are struggling to figure out what his utilization looks like for 2020 and beyond. With Everett healthy and the pass blocking improved, I am tempering expectations for 2020 a bit, more like a back end TE1 with a high ceiling. Once Everett is gone.... look out. I think he's a top 6 TE in the league, fantasy-wise.

 

[Merlin]

Yeah one of the best parts of this season was finally seeing TE development. I'm lookin forward to not needing to pound the pulpit for a TE in the draft, feels great.

 

[Ram65]

You have to wonder why it took so long to get Higbee more involved in the passing game plan. Higbee screens and across the grain passes became very effective plays that the offense needed.
We still don't know what McVay will do with both Everett and Higbee together. I hope he mixes things up in every game. Giving both 11P and 12P in every game. McVay seems to get away from 12P in too many games. At least let defenses have to think about it. Moving Everett around can really create some nice mismatches.

 

[So Ram]

You have to wonder why it took so long to get Higbee more involved in the passing game plan. Higbee screens and across the grain passes became very effective plays that the offense needed.
We still don't know what McVay will do with both Everett and Higbee together. I hope he mixes things up in every game. Giving both 11P and 12P in every game. McVay seems to get away from 12P in too many games. At least let defenses have to think about it. Moving Everett around can really create some nice mismatches.

yeah- didn’t know you posted it today, but what about Kittles !! You know he & Higbee would have been unbelievable!!! Just can’t believe it !! You know I gave Higbee so much Crap & Demoff such Crap About the TE postion. I still thin 3 TE’s are needed.

That all does matter much.Truth is The Rams traded back to get Everett instead of the 2 O”Line guys most Ram Fans wanted.

Mean while The Rams took Everett over Lamp!! Still looking back would have done things different. Same idea, but
Dalvin Cook vs Everett & John Johnson ??
Who of course said before the draft there is only 1 ball, so another words one RB??!? As time goes by & CJ Anderson has come & gone makes me wonder of his thought process now, plus trading up for however the Rams just draft at RB ???

Copper Kupp still being there at

Zay Jones#37 I did like Buddha Baker & Smith better though.

What a steal though within h Copper Kupp even ahead of John Johnson
67KMara from Niners to Saints?? would have never known.

It then again as I’m saying now looking back at The Rams draft Passing on Feeney at 71 makes my point on The Rams not drafting an O”lineman in 2020.

Reynolds #117
Sampson#125
Kittle #146

all I’m saying is trading back & good scouting can really make a franchise, espy all wise. Then add Comp Picks.

My whole thing goes back as a Draftnik with
The Belacheat
Big Parcels
& The great Bill Walsh

trading back can be
Pretty awesome if you look at The History, especially with Snead !! When he sits tight & trades up he sucks. When he trades back & finds value he is pretty awesome.

The gift that keeps giving. A- Hole Neff Fisher brings all his players The Rams traded for for R-G111 was CLASSLESS!!!!!!!

It should have been the gift that kept giving.Why not trade back with the Bills or even Atlanta ?? To pick Greg Robinson at #2 when you traded how many picks for the #2 pick.

will alwYs say the gift that keeps giving. The Rams could still be trading that pick for other picks. Would have been
sO COOl ??? Anyway time goes on. Copper Kupp , Everett ??

Will ALwAYS say Inhave never seen at better 30 yard dash, especially from somebody
Like Kittles as a IOWA TE !!! Question can he block . LMAO !!! Yes I will say Tyler Higbee is a comply TE. It took him awhile,but coming from a small school & his situation?? Was a bey good find & steal as a 4th rd TE

 

[So Ram]

Yeah one of the best parts of this season was finally seeing TE development. I'm lookin forward to not needing to pound the pulpit for a TE in the draft, feels great.

well it would have gone to crap if Higbee didn’t pan out ?? The value will always be Kittles over Everrt ?? That was why I loved the trade back. The Rams still got, Ebukham,Everrtt,Kupp,& Johnson !!!

Just saying why I will keep pounding the table that The Rams O”line is set in the 2020 draft. What happens at LT is a big question, but Mcvay has Withworth in his office during key organization moves. Hard to see it not being a perfect match going into 2020 & a New Stadium.

In my mind Andrew Whitworth is a HOF Ram !!! Fans can say what they want !!
I remember each year Georgia & The Rams organization said he was to old & not worth the price. I also saw the holdouts of Orlando Pace !! I see Whitworth being in that category of LT’s give him a contract &
fans will see how good this O”Line can be

 

[jrry32]

It seemed to me that McVay made a much greater effort to include Higbee in the offense, and it helped big time. I don't think Higbee is an elite TE, but it's clear that he can be a good one if McVay wants to utilize him in the passing game.

 

[Deac]

You have to wonder why it took so long to get Higbee more involved in the passing game plan. Higbee screens and across the grain passes became very effective plays that the offense needed.
We still don't know what McVay will do with both Everett and Higbee together. I hope he mixes things up in every game. Giving both 11P and 12P in every game. McVay seems to get away from 12P in too many games. At least let defenses have to think about it. Moving Everett around can really create some nice mismatches.

I totally agree with this, however not sure they (coaches) think Kupp isn't best used as a pure Slot receiver vs a #2 receiver lined wide. Maybe run 2 tight end with Everett lined wide? Wouldn't mind trying it.

 

[Corbin]

Have to wonder if two TE sets with Higbee and Everett puts better personnel on the field than the 3 wr set with Cooks (or Reynolds).

Our running game and pass protection needs all the muscle we've got.

Dude I honestly think we run a better balanced offense with the 12 personnel and had a change of heart on Cooks, we should try and trade him.

Hoping maybe a 2nd for him?

 

[Ram65]

I totally agree with this, however not sure they (coaches) think Kupp isn't best used as a pure Slot receiver vs a #2 receiver lined wide. Maybe run 2 tight end with Everett lined wide? Wouldn't mind trying it.

Lining Everett up outside is a part of what I thought they would do when they first drafted him. They have done it on occasion. With the 12P the Rams can run a quick pace offense not allowing defenses to change personnel. Moving Everett around can create mismatches. IIRC Kupp's ratio has been about 2 to 1 slot vs lining up outside. He can do both. I don't see a problem with rotating the three WRs. I thought McVay needs to give defenses more to think about. He might have learned a thing or two from the new DC about how defenses see the Rams offense. It will be interesting to see how the Rams offense evolves with McVay and two new coordinators coming together.