TE2

[FrantikRam]

Just over two months to go and there quite a few roles up for grabs - this one seems to have been blown wide open by Harris' progress in OTAs, which is more of an indictment if Mundt and Hopkins than anything, because he's still extremely raw.

The contenders:

Jacob Harris
Brycen Hopkins
Johnny Mundt

The wildcard:

Ben Skowronek


Given the depth of our WRs, it's possible two TEs are rarely on the field. Mundt is the clearcut best blocker, while it appears that Harris and Hopkins would play a comparable role. The question for Hopkins is can he play the FB role that Everett played? That's where Skowronek comes in as a wildcard.



Do you want to see one player get most of the snaps at TE2?

Who?

If different, how do you think it will play out?

Is Harris on the roster bubble?

All TE2 talk here!

 

[FaulkSF]

I think they keep Harris and Mundt for sure. Harris they're excited about. Mundt can block inline and potentially as a FB. Mundt isn't much of a receiving threat, other than an escape route.

I'm waiting for Hopkins to prove himself as he hasn't flashed yet.

 

[CGI_Ram]

For all we know, Hopkins could be among the first cut.

I’ve bought in to the Harris kool-aid.

Skowronek feels long shot among the TE’s.

 

[dang]

For all we know, Hopkins could be among the first cut.

I’ve bought in to the Harris kool-aid.

Skowronek feels long shot among the TE’s.

They won’t likely cut Hopkins but if they do then it will be only after Harris/Skow have proven themselves in full contact situations.

 

[den-the-coach]

IMO, Ben Skowronek is a WR, not a TE and he will make the squad as the 6th WR IMHO. As to TE, I believe the Rams will carry 4, however, if they cut anyone it would be Mundt IMO, but Mundt is a good blocker plus he's very good on special teams. I still hold out hope for Hopkins, but Harris could supersede him.

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

There's nothing raw about the way Harris catches the ball. That's the most important part of the job. Make the catch when needed.

.

 

[majrleaged]

.

There's nothing raw about the way Harris catches the ball. That's the most important part of the job. Make the catch when needed.

.

I worry that one flaw or our complicated system might keep him off the field. We have seen this with running backs and their ability to block. It is important to play all phases of the game but sometimes I think when you have a great talent, you need to find a way to compensate for the flaw so they can be in position to really help the team. Here is hoping that if Harris is this great talent, that the coaching doesn't hold him back for what he can't do and focuses on what he can.

 

[CGI_Ram]

.

There's nothing raw about the way Harris catches the ball. That's the most important part of the job. Make the catch when needed.

.

Word is that is/was Hopkins weakness. I am not down on the guy, because we don’t have much to go on. Just seeing Harris sort of “jump him“ buzz-wise makes you wonder.

 

[MadGoat]

If we're talking about the guy who would have to step in in the event of an injury to Higbee, I think it's Mundt, followed by Hopkins, and then Harris.

Harris is much more likely to be use situationally in the passing game, and Mundt will be used when the Rams want two capable blockers on the field.

 

[Bootleg]

As long as Higbee is healthy the Rams can afford to go situational with TE2 with Harris (pass) and Mundt (blocking). But if Higbee goes down the Rams are somewhat exposed. Higbee is the only TE on the roster with a proven blocker/rout runner balance. Harris is a little slight of build and Mundt has never been a pass catcher so the Rams risk tipping their hand if one or the other of those two are in the game.

So my guess is that the Rams are picking Hopkins as the next man up if Higbee goes down. He's got the size to block and until proven otherwise the skill at receiver. Mundt and Harris would continue to be situational specialists if Higbee goes down.

So, I think Harris and Mundt will share TE2 duties (depending on the situation) as long as Higbee is healthy, but if Higbee goes down Hopkins will step up and take the TE1 spot with Harris and Mundt still in supporting roles.

 

[Ram65]

The question for Hopkins is can he play the FB role that Everett played? That's where Skowronek comes in as a wildcard.

It's possible that on some plays Benny Sko could be on the move lining up at WR and then motioning to become a blocker as Everett did. It's a little far out there. He would have to really impress McVay with both his play and knowledge. He could use him in a 4 WR set and then move to become a blocker as well as in a 3 WR set. McVay appears to have so many options with all the talent the Rams have. He could do this with Harris as well. Then it becomes who is the better blocker, Benny Sko or Harris?

Do you want to see one player get most of the snaps at TE2?

I'm wondering how much McVay will use the TE2 sets. He seemed to make getting Everett involved more last year a priority without having the speedy WR deep threat. Now, that he has Jackson and Atwell having three WRs on the field a lot more seems highly likely.

To answer the question will depend on blocking ability. If Harris is up to the task I would like to see him get the majority of snaps as the TE2. Johnny Mundt most likely will be used in run situations and TE3 sets. Hopkins hasn't had a chance to show us anything so it's wait and see him.

 

[Merlin]

Hopkins will be the TE4 at best. Not hard to deduce that one. He doesn't move the bar on the field. He doesn't move the bar on teams. Influx of talent with Harris who has already jumped him and is a matchup problem for defenses.

Mundt is safe this year. They need a backup for Higs if he can't go.

Harris is going to replace Everett. He'll be a move TE in this offense with some special considerations to get the matchups McVay wants in the passing game.

Current in-line depth is Higs > Mundt. And Mundt can play any of the TE spots or even lead blocker if required.

Current move depth is Harris > Hopkins. Hopkins will compete with the bottom WR guys for his roster spot so if I am him I'd be working my ass off on teams.

Not sure where Blanton factors in. Probably a cut for sure. And Hopkins is likely to be squeezed out by the WRs.

 

[Merlin]

I'm wondering how much McVay will use the TE2 sets. He seemed to make getting Everett involved more last year a priority without having the speedy WR deep threat. Now, that he has Jackson and Atwell having three WRs on the field a lot more seems highly likely.

I think you're correct here. McVay is all about the matchups. Only reason Everett got the opportunity he did last year was because the WRs sucked ass. At that point they knew who Gerald was. McVay will play the guys who get him the best matchups.

So we're gonna have to wait and see with Harris. Could be that he's used sparingly due to the WRs being better in the passing game overall (which I agree with you on). Or maybe they drafted a great athlete who is just now figuring things out and who will force McVay to use him more. The latter might not be likely but it is possible which is very exciting.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Hopkins will be the TE4 at best. Not hard to deduce that one. He doesn't move the bar on the field. He doesn't move the bar on teams. Influx of talent with Harris who has already jumped him and is a matchup problem for defenses.

Mundt is safe this year. They need a backup for Higs if he can't go.

Harris is going to replace Everett. He'll be a move TE in this offense with some special considerations to get the matchups McVay wants in the passing game.

Current in-line depth is Higs > Mundt. And Mundt can play any of the TE spots or even lead blocker if required.

Current move depth is Harris > Hopkins. Hopkins will compete with the bottom WR guys for his roster spot so if I am him I'd be working my ass off on teams.

Not sure where Blanton factors in. Probably a cut for sure. And Hopkins is likely to be squeezed out by the WRs.

That's how I see it.

 

[Rams43]

Hopkins will be the TE4 at best. Not hard to deduce that one. He doesn't move the bar on the field. He doesn't move the bar on teams. Influx of talent with Harris who has already jumped him and is a matchup problem for defenses.

Mundt is safe this year. They need a backup for Higs if he can't go.

Harris is going to replace Everett. He'll be a move TE in this offense with some special considerations to get the matchups McVay wants in the passing game.

Current in-line depth is Higs > Mundt. And Mundt can play any of the TE spots or even lead blocker if required.

Current move depth is Harris > Hopkins. Hopkins will compete with the bottom WR guys for his roster spot so if I am him I'd be working my ass off on teams.

Not sure where Blanton factors in. Probably a cut for sure. And Hopkins is likely to be squeezed out by the WRs.

What Merlin just said.

As an aside I foresee Harris being used in hybrid semi-exotic ways by McVay. He will by no means be limited to TE opportunities. The kid is a freak and McVay is the perfect HC to maximize his talent.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

Kendall Blanton has size and a skillset that's pretty rare, and we've kept him around for 2 years because we have some confidence in him.

He's got a chance to make waves with a real preseason with preseason games.

 

[den-the-coach]

Kendall Blanton has size and a skillset that's pretty rare, and we've kept him around for 2 years because we have some confidence in him.

He's got a chance to make waves with a real preseason with preseason games.

Wow, that's interesting stuff you & @Memento seem to feel the same way, Blanton is 6-6 262lbs, so he's the biggest TE on the roster, however, he struggled blocking in college, was better as a pass blocker then run blocker and IMO, Mundt trumps him as a blocker and is a far better route runner with more consistent hands.

kendall-blanton-b5e95ece-3b71-439b-b7b4-ae102f9e7c08

Kendall Blanton is a tight end in the NFL. Find out Kendall Blanton's stats, age, college, height, weight, position, birthplace, and more.

thedraftnetwork.com

 

[dieterbrock]

Mundt is the epitome of a Jag. I doubt he makes the team. If McVay likes Harris as much as the press does, I could see a rotation with Hopkins, unless what I've suspected all along, that Hopkins cant catch.
Higbee remains the blocking TE and Mundt's ST snaps can be dispersed elsewhere, possibly to my boy Skow if he can make team as WR #6

 

[dieterbrock]

Kendall Blanton has size and a skillset that's pretty rare, and we've kept him around for 2 years because we have some confidence in him.

Its because somebody has to fill spots on the Practice Squad.

 

[jjab360]

I don't think I'll be able to view Harris as a true TE until he weighs in at least over 230 tbh and I'm not sure how much weight he'd be able to put on without losing his elite athleticism