Is Brycen Hopkins ready to step up as Rams' No. 2 tight end in 2022?

Is Brycen Hopkins ready to step up as Rams' No. 2 tight end in 2022?

With Johnny Mundt gone, there’s a void at TE2 on the Rams’ roster. Is this the year Brycen Hopkins finally ascends to that position?

theramswire.usatoday.com

Is Brycen Hopkins ready to step up as Rams' No. 2 tight end in 2022?​

Brycen Hopkins was supposed to be the player to replace Gerald Everett at tight end when he inevitably left in free agency. The Rams drafted him to be that type of player in 2020, knowing Everett might be on his way out before the 2021 season.

It didn’t work exactly to plan, with Hopkins playing a total of 61 snaps in his first two years in the NFL and catching only one pass for 9 yards in 10 games played. The Rams have been patient with him, however, and Hopkins started to show some promise in the Super Bowl when he caught four passes for 47 yards as the top tight end with Higbee sidelined due to injury.

Can Hopkins carry over that momentum into 2022? He’ll once again get the opportunity to be the Rams’ No. 2 tight end, just as he had last year. Johnny Mundt, who was the TE2 last season, signed with the Vikings in free agency, opening the door for Hopkins for the second year in a row.

Hopkins won’t necessarily face a ton of competition for that job. Kendall Blanton is the other tight end who will be battling for the backup role at tight end, and he was the Rams’ preferred choice at that spot after Mundt got hurt.

Blanton played 11 games, made two starts and played 21% of the offensive snaps. He came alive in the playoffs, catching all seven of his targets for 75 yards and a touchdown, picking up five first downs – outperforming Hopkins. But it was Hopkins who contributed the most in the Super Bowl, which was a surprising development.

Heading into 2022, it’s anyone’s guess who will win the job as Higbee’s backup. But what we do know is how important that role is. Higbee is pretty durable but he hasn’t played a full season since 2018. Not to mention, the Rams like to have a capable blocker as their No. 2 tight end when they deploy 12 personnel with two receivers and two tight ends on the field together.

Neither Hopkins nor Blanton is a particularly good blocker, but Hopkins made a couple of key blocks in the running game during Super Bowl LVI. It’s not a lack of effort, but rather a need to improve his technique when it comes to sealing off defenders when the Rams run the ball outside.

Los Angeles would probably prefer if Hopkins beat out Blanton as the No. 2 tight end, hopefully validating the team’s decision to draft him in the fourth round two years ago. Sean McVay won’t complain so long as one of the two step up, but Hopkins might have the slightly better opportunity to after his performance in the Super Bowl.

 

[dieterbrock]

So who did 2nd round Everett have ahead of him on the depth chart? Higbee and Derek Carrier. Who did 4th round Hopkins have ahead of him? Higbee and Everett. Big diff.

Not a big difference, in fact the comparison is worse for Hop. Everett beat out the guy ahead of him in Carrier, while Hop could not with Mundt
Derek Carrier had a better career than Johnny Mundt, and Everett despite all his flaws took the #2 gig, while Carrier was relegated to #3. Meanwhile Hopkins couldnt even dress for games while Mundt grabbed the snaps for TE #3.
Trying to justify a player not being active in games while a JAG took his spot is just silly. Even when Higbee missed a game, Hop still couldnt get in there.
Him not playing again in 2021 just emphasizes how far behind he must have been in his rookie year

 

[PARAM]

Not a big difference, in fact the comparison is worse for Hop. Everett beat out the guy ahead of him in Carrier, while Hop could not with Mundt
Derek Carrier had a better career than Johnny Mundt, and Everett despite all his flaws took the #2 gig, while Carrier was relegated to #3. Meanwhile Hopkins couldnt even dress for games while Mundt grabbed the snaps for TE #3.
Trying to justify a player not being active in games while a JAG took his spot is just silly. Even when Higbee missed a game, Hop still couldnt get in there.
Him not playing again in 2021 just emphasizes how far behind he must have been in his rookie year

"Derek Carrier had a better career than Johnny Mundt"? Where do you come up with this stuff? Parts of 3 separate seasons spent on IR, one season begun on PUP, didn't play a full season until his 6th year with a high water mark of 17 catches. Yeah, Everett beat out a Tony Gonzalez clone!!! Geesh!!

But yeah, I forgot about Mundt. So Hopkins came to the Rams and was behind 2 receiving tight ends in Higbee and Everett plus a blocking tight end in Mundt. A blocking tight end who was a huge part of the Rams run game. I'm not surprised a 4th round rookie couldn't supplant those 3. (As if Mundt would have been benched for a receiving TE).

I agree year 2 is concerning but then like I said, "doghouse?" However, when they were forced to play him in the biggest game of the season, he performed (which in my mind gives the doghouse theory even more legs).

 

[BonifayRam]

A young non-utilized TE that lurked around the Rams Org. for 2 seasons forced into the biggest game of the 2021 season & proved he is ready beyond any doubt. Hopkins still needs to beef up his frame & blocking ability, there is no doubting his pass catching talent.

Rams look to be in very good shape going into Training Camp with the top 3 TE's Higbee/Blanton in the passing game, just how many snaps these TE's see with the offense will depend solely on just how far they have come in their ability to make solid blocks in the run game. We know all 3 can catch.

Tyler Higbee 6-6/255 29 entering his 7th season/UFA in 2024
Kendal Blanton 6-6/262 26 entering 4th season/RFA in 2023/4.95time in the 40 yd dash
Brycen Hopkins 6-54/250 entering 3rd season / UFA in 2024/4.66 time in the 40-yard dash
Kyle Markway 6-4/250 entering 3rd season/ ERFA in 2024/ He can block

Do you really think a 6-5 210 lb wideout Jacob Harris should continue to be included in the Rams TE discussion when he is skinnier & leaner than both Kupp & Robinson?

Brycen Hopkins will be Rams’ surprise difference maker in 2022​

Tight end played a pivotal role in Super Bowl LVI win

By Evan Craig Jun 21, 2022

Los Angeles Rams tight end Brycen Hopkins never expected to play such a vital role in Super Bowl LVI. At least that’s what he figured with Kendall Blanton earning the starting nod with Tyler Higbee ruled out for the Big Game. Once a shoulder injury ended Blanton’s evening in the first half, Hopkins stepped up and never looked back.

When scouring through the box score, the tight end’s stats on paper aren’t all that impressive. Brycen finished the game with four catches for 47 yards, three of them going for crucial first downs. Despite his underrated performance, fans have argued that LA wouldn’t have won the Lombardi without him.


View: https://twitter.com/rams_szn/status/1495079813111074816/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1495079813111074816%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.turfshowtimes.com%2F2022%2F6%2F21%2F23177241%2Flos-angeles-rams-brycen-hopkins-super-bowl-breakout-player-2022



View: https://twitter.com/seattlerams_nfl/status/1493148088332025861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1493148088332025861%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.turfshowtimes.com%2F2022%2F6%2F21%2F23177241%2Flos-angeles-rams-brycen-hopkins-super-bowl-breakout-player-2022


Hopkins gave his all on the grandest stage when his number was called. It definitely isn’t a stretch to say the Rams would’ve lost the game without him. On a key 4th-and-1 play on what would become the game-winning drive, Brycen had a huge block for Kupp who ran for the first down. Without that block, the Bengals would’ve taken over on downs and run out the clock. It was a gutsy play call at the time but came with an even gutsier block since it had to be executed perfectly.

View: https://twitter.com/RamsOnFilm/status/1493690947619766282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1493690947619766282%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.turfshowtimes.com%2F2022%2F6%2F21%2F23177241%2Flos-angeles-rams-brycen-hopkins-super-bowl-breakout-player-2022

If healthy, Hopkins should have a larger role on offense in 2022 due to how he’s not a player defense coordinators are going to worry about when facing the Rams. All the focus will obviously be on Kupp and newcomer Allen Robinson so Brycen will slip right through the cracks.

At one point in the Super Bowl, Cincy’s fixation on Coop played into Hopkins’ hands. In this YouTube film study done by Jackson Krueger, from 1:50-2:35 in the video, Krueger analyzes how the tight end was able to get so open with Kupp lined up on that side of the field.

The rest of the video is worth checking out and should have Los Angeles fans salivating at his potential going into the upcoming campaign. McVay will carve out a role for Hopkins moving forward after his performance in the Super Bowl. It appears big things are to come for the young pass catcher. This fan on Twitter is banking on Brycen to become the Rams’ surprise difference maker for their title defense:


View: https://twitter.com/JoeMazziFB/status/1537445532808798215?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1537445532808798215%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.turfshowtimes.com%2F2022%2F6%2F21%2F23177241%2Flos-angeles-rams-brycen-hopkins-super-bowl-breakout-player-2022


As for me, I’m going to jump on the Brycen Hopkins bandwagon for 2022 and more LA fans should follow suit. Now I’m not saying to immediately go buy his jersey off NFL Shop after reading this, but just don’t be surprised if he performs way above expectations this season.

If the “next man up” mantra Brycen adopted in the Big Game is an indication of things to come, sign me up because I can’t wait to see how this ride ends up.

 

[dieterbrock]

"Derek Carrier had a better career than Johnny Mundt"? Where do you come up with this stuff?

Its called facts
Johnny Mundt is/was a JAG who fought thru PS to make the team as a ST player. Finally got a chance to have PT and he got hurt. Basically a non factor. 10 career catches for 93 yards, 0 TD
Carrier? No all star, and pretty much a JAG himself however he impressed upon McVay enough to trade for him at the start of the 2017 season when they lost their #3 TE. (When Mundt was on practice squad)
Career stats? 59 catches, 529 yards and 3 td.
So yeah its pretty easy to see why I had made that comment, and only someone looking to argue would disagree on that
Alas...
Hopkins? Nothing would make me happier than to eat a big plate of crow on this chap. He's got the lineage, the experience and god knows the coaching to have his career take a complete 180

 

[Tano]

Its called facts
Johnny Mundt is/was a JAG who fought thru PS to make the team as a ST player. Finally got a chance to have PT and he got hurt. Basically a non factor. 10 career catches for 93 yards, 0 TD
Carrier? No all star, and pretty much a JAG himself however he impressed upon McVay enough to trade for him at the start of the 2017 season when they lost their #3 TE. (When Mundt was on practice squad)
Career stats? 59 catches, 529 yards and 3 td.
So yeah its pretty easy to see why I had made that comment, and only someone looking to argue would disagree on that
Alas...
Hopkins? Nothing would make me happier than to eat a big plate of crow on this chap. He's got the lineage, the experience and god knows the coaching to have his career take a complete 180

I think Harris is going to play a bigger role than Hopkins.

But I am definitely glad we had Hopkins for the Super Bowl being down 4 TEs

 

[PARAM]

Its called facts..........only someone looking to argue.....

......would quote a post from more than 10 weeks ago.

 

[RamsSince1969]

Hopkins had back to back massive plays! The catch to the 29 on 3rd down and then the block on 4th down. Wow! Also, he wrapped the ball up like a man on a mission and was not going to fumble when they did tackle him. Just another reason Rams haters had their hearts ripped out because there is no way any other team has a backup TE so accomplished & playbook ready for the SB. We didn't need Travis Kelce, but can you imagine if Kelce did what Hopkins did? He would have had roses thrown at his feet and people kissing his brow all the way to Canton. What Hopkins did, in those moments, just blows my mind. Another miracle out of nowhere for this very special Rams team. I might have to get me a #88 jersey or custom shirt with his name on it.

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

Hopkins had back to back massive plays! The catch to the 29 on 3rd down and then the block on 4th down. Wow! Also, he wrapped the ball up like a man on a mission and was not going to fumble when they did tackle him. Just another reason Rams haters had their hearts ripped out because there is no way any other team has a backup TE so accomplished & playbook ready for the SB. We didn't need Travis Kelce, but can you imagine if Kelce did what Hopkins did? He would have had roses thrown at his feet and people kissing his brow all the way to Canton. What Hopkins did, in those moments, just blows my mind. Another miracle out of nowhere for this very special Rams team. I might have to get me a #88 jersey or custom shirt with his name on it.

Awesome post, 1969. I concur that his performance in the Super Bowl was huge and quite possibly we do not win without his contributions. I, too, look forward to seeing Mr. Hopkins to continue to progress.

~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[Corbin]

Who will step up? IDK

But I do know we have a young talented pool of TE’s, and a few are going to step up.

I’m really thinking Harris and Blanton step up this year.

Hopkins made me eat my words with what he contributed the end of last year. So who knows, it’s going to be fun as hell watching them though!

 

[Tano]

Who will step up? IDK

But I do know we have a young talented pool of TE’s, and a few are going to step up.

I’m really thinking Harris and Blanton step up this year.

Hopkins made me eat my words with what he contributed the end of last year. So who knows, it’s going to be fun as hell watching them though!

Tough call as to who they will be forced to drop from the roster.

 

[So Ram]

Tough call as to who they will be forced to drop from the roster.

Injuries will play a key. Like I’ve said all a long is Jacob Harris will find his way on the IR after the preseason.

 

[Merlin]

I think if I talk shit about Hopkins early in each game he'll have a hell of a season.

 

[BonifayRam]

Who will emerge as Rams TE2?​

Los Angeles Rams News and Links for 7/13/22

By CliffJackson

Random Ramsdom: Who will emerge as TE2?

Los Angeles Rams News and Links for 7/13/22

www.turfshowtimes.com

Early in the 2021-2022 season, the Rams lost their backup tight end Johnny Mundt to a season-ending torn ACL in week 6 against the Giants. Mundt, who was more of a blocking tight end than anything else, had a huge impact in the Rams’ running game.

Following that loss, the Rams were forced to go to less run-heavy packages and roll out a ton of 11 personnel as they figured out how to fill the void left by Mundt. In the NFC Championship, starting tight end Tyler Higbee went down early in the game against the 49ers. In came Kendall Blanton, a man with very minimal experience playing, let alone at such a grand stage. Blanton stepped up big-time, hauling in 5 catches for 57 yards in the biggest moment of his playing career

Following the Rams defeating the Rams and making it to the Super Bowl, another injury to the tight end group occurred during the big game. Kendall Blanton went down early in the game, and for a team already down their starter in Tyler Higbee, the injury seemed as though it may be devastating to the Rams offense. However, another man stepped up once again, as Brycen Hopkins entered the game as the team's final active tight end. Hopkins, like Blanton, rose to the occasion and made some solid plays in the Super Bowl, finishing with 4 grabs for 47 yards.

Entering the 2022 season, the Rams will have the same crop of tight ends they finished the year with, as Mundt left the team in free agency leaving the trio of Higbee, Blanton, and Hopkins. The question is which tight end will be the one to be the backup to Higbee, will it be Kendall Blanton or Brycen Hopkins? I believe Blanton will get the nod at TE2, however it will be a great competition between the two of them.

 

[BonifayRam]

I do not believe anyone in ROD thinks that Blanton would not be the 2nd TE when the regular season begins. The bigger question to write & discuss would be will McVay keep 3 or 4 TE's? Of course one big element of that determination would be how much Blanton & Hopkins can improve their overall run/pass blocking.

Snead has 7 TE's signed in the TE room excluding Jacob Harris. Another better discussion would be which of the new TE's will be the best fit to stick to get signed to the PS in 2022?

Tyler Higbee-29 yrs old/4th rd selection 2016/ UFA 2024/ entering his 8th season.

Kendall Blanton-26 yrs old/ UDFA in 2019/ RFA 2023. Benn a Ram since April 2019.

Brycen Hopkins-25 yrs old/4th rd selection 2020. UFA in 2024.

Kyle Markway-25 yrs old/ UDFA 2020/ ERFA 2024. Waived 6 times and played on 4 NFL teams. No gm. experienced.

Roger Carter-21 yrs old UDFA 2022/ Rookie

Jared Pinkney-24 yrs old/ UDFA 2020/ ERFA in 2023. Played & started for the Falcons in 2020 &2021. Waived 4 times.

Jamal Pettigrew- 22 yrs old Rookie /UDFA 2022 RFA 2025.

 

[Merlin]

I think McVay requires pass game threat from his TE2 if you want to have them out there more often in 12 sets. He's not a ball control guy and never will be. His TEs will need to block of course but the WRs are required to block too and they do it well. So really the key for this TE depth group is who if any of these guys can be a good enough matchup threat while also being willing to throw their body into blocking responsibilities. Because without that then why not just leave your big and blocking-capable wideouts on the field. Rams can trot Kupp (6'2"), Robinson (6'2"), and Skow (6'3") out there with Higs (6'5") and not give up a damn thing in the size department. All of a sudden they have a very large lineup of targets for 9 to put that ball on without dipping into that TE depth group.

Hopkins has a chance though for sure. I will point out of his 4 receptions in the Super Bowl one of them was bobbled however. Is he past his drop issue he had in college. He's probably been on the roster long enough now to where he knows the plays and mentally can be counted on to be in the right play. He looks good in his routes, very smooth. His upside for the pass game makes me think they're going to try to get him going.

Blanton I figure is the fallback. He's kind of oversized and lumbering, which I don't mind at all in my TEs but I think McVay wants guys who are very smooth and natural in the pass game. Blanton is balanced moreso than Hopkins is, I think he's a better blocker. So that's why I figure he's the guy they go with as TE2 in 2022 if Hopkins can't make a move. But if things go that route then basically 12 is only going to be seen when the Rams want to kill clock. You won't see much of it due to matchups vs smaller secondaries or slow ILBs on the opponents' film.