Quick spin through the WR & TE roster

[yrba1]

Tyler Higbee is underappreciated on this board IMHO...Two years ago, he dropped some passes, however, last year had some big catches and is an outstanding blocker...

I think it's because folks here have near Gronk expectations of him but he's doing an excellent job with the assigned role given to him

 

[Ram65]

Both TEs are getting better. Higbee made some nice catches and hard runs for YAC last year. Everett made some big catches and got some good YAC too. They are both blocking better. Routes could be a little crisper which I think we see this year. It is hard to get touches with all the other weapons the Rams had last year. Now, add that Henderson will need his touches. McVay needs to use them when teams are playing physical up front. Hope he figures out how to get them to help the team more.

 

[A.J. Hicks]

I have a feeling the Wes Phillips is going to make a big impression on our tight end room.

He and Mcvay worked together in Washington. Wes was coaching the tight ends Mcvay's former position group.

 

[Merlin]

Both TEs are getting better.

I have a feeling the Wes Phillips is going to make a big impression on our tight end room.

Agreed. I'm pretty damn excited about what we've seen thus far too. Wes is certainly off to a great start as the positional coach.

 

[yrba1]

I have a feeling the Wes Phillips is going to make a big impression on our tight end room.

He and Mcvay worked together in Washington. Wes was coaching the tight ends Mcvay's former position group.

The downside of him ascending at a skyrocketing rate is that some other team may want to snatch him up for an OC position. I hope McVay can keep him as long as he could if he's the real deal.

 

[A.J. Hicks]

The downside of him ascending at a skyrocketing rate is that some other team may want to snatch him up for an OC position. I hope McVay can keep him as long as he could if he's the real deal.

Interestingly enough about him is he hasn't necessarily sky rocketed - at least from what I understand.

I thought for sure he'd come over with Mcvay in 2017. But Redskins kept him around in the same tight ends role.

Unless I missed something he stayed in that same role with the Redskins until this offseason with Redskins agreed to let him come over to the Rams. The move from what I understand is a lateral movement and not a promotion, so Redskins agreed to let him go.

 

[fanotodd]

No doubt, but I think he's too valuable to trade given that Kupp going down is such a recent memory for them. I think Kupp is the guy they'll lock up, but if he can't make it through the full season again then it might be JRey they sign.

I have to think if Thomas goes off in preseason games with Bortles passing to him that he'll be trade bait. And maybe Bortles too if he also shows extremely well and some team makes a really good offer for him.

That would be a best case scenario for both the Rams and Thomas. Let's face it, he's trying out for his next team right now. Reynolds was drafted to be the WR Thomas hadn't been. There's no way Thomas would be a priority signing over our existing roster of pending FAs.

Reynolds is already showing he's pretty good. He would be starting this season on more teams than not--by a large margin.

 

[fanotodd]

I have re-watched nearly every game from last season in condensed form on YouTube over the last week or so and re Higbee,

He made a lotta good plays and clutch receptions for us last season.

Truth be told, Higbee would thrive on another team. He would fetch a great pick (better than what we paid). Is he all world? No, but he'd be an upgrade for most teams. He's in the same boat as Reynolds with one very big exception--Reynolds isn't keeping a new regime's #1 pick off the field. THATS why Higbee could be in trouble.

 

[Merlin]

I have re-watched nearly every game from last season in condensed form on YouTube over the last week or so and re Higbee,

He made a lotta good plays and clutch receptions for us last season.

Truth be told, Higbee would thrive on another team. He would fetch a great pick (better than what we paid). Is he all world? No, but he'd be an upgrade for most teams. He's in the same boat as Reynolds with one very big exception--Reynolds isn't keeping a new regime's #1 pick off the field. THATS why Higbee could be in trouble.

Well he has a full year ahead of him here. So maybe he'll thrive with us finally.

If he can't, then he's probably not going to thrive anywhere else either. McVay is the man wrt the TE position.

 

[fanotodd]

Well he has a full year ahead of him here. So maybe he'll thrive with us finally.

If he can't, then he's probably not going to thrive anywhere else either. McVay is the man wrt the TE position.

I think one thing to consider when we have these type of discussions regarding a player's talent level is that the Rams have gone from a dumpster fire to a LEGIT TITLE CONTENDER. Not every team can say that--if they're being honest, MOST teams cannot.
It's difficult to project how ANY offensive player would fare in another system that lacks Goff and McVay, but one thing is certain--Higbee would get way more targets on a team like zona, the giants, the broncos, etc.. So while it might not get him any rings, it might get him more opportunity if he was to go elsewhere.

Higbee is an interesting player/situation.

 

[Ram65]

I have re-watched nearly every game from last season in condensed form on YouTube over the last week or so and re Higbee,

He made a lotta good plays and clutch receptions for us last season.

Truth be told, Higbee would thrive on another team. He would fetch a great pick (better than what we paid). Is he all world? No, but he'd be an upgrade for most teams. He's in the same boat as Reynolds with one very big exception--Reynolds isn't keeping a new regime's #1 pick off the field. THATS why Higbee could be in trouble.

Well he has a full year ahead of him here. So maybe he'll thrive with us finally.

Higbee and Reynolds would have a much better chance of producing with other teams. Their catch percentage is close to top TEs. They just don't get the targets.

If he can't, then he's probably not going to thrive anywhere else either. McVay is the man wrt the TE position.

Higbee and Reynolds would do well in different settings. They don't get the targets other TEs get. Their catch rate is right on with top TEs. As a free agent some team would pay up for Higbee. The more opportunities they get the better they will get. Higbee made some nice catches this past year and was a bull with the ball.

https://www.fftoday.com/stats/playerstats.php?Season=2018&GameWeek=Season&PosID=40&LeagueID=

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/te

 

[dieterbrock]

TE production needs work.
Lack of targets isn’t by design. They are running routes and get targeted when open.
Desperately needed that guy in the seam when Goff was facing heavy pressure.
Everett only had 7 targets all post season with only 2 catches. Only 1 target in SB. That’s not gonna cut it.
McVay cut his teeth coaching TE, and clearly didn’t see the need to upgrade the position in the draft or FA so I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s got planned.

 

[fanotodd]

Ram65:
I meant to hit the high 5 icon.

 

[So Ram]

Any player who is good enough will be featured enough to put up good stats. I have a lot of respect for Higs and what he does as an all-around TE. But he's not a difference maker, or hasn't been that, so he doesn't get play design where he's high enough as a read to get those stats.

Stick a younger Gronk or one of the current top TEs around the league on this roster and you can bet they'd be a top read in many situations, and high enough that they're gonna get catches and yards.

I'm really excited about the TEs this year btw. But the point of my post is really the business side, a look at the roster and the decisions that are looming and might be made sooner than later. Both positions have a lot of decisions looming, even though wideout is absolutely loaded.

Phillips,Waldron,& Kromer all have a piece of HIGS !! Look for a breakthrough season at the TE position.
You talk about how long it takes to develop a young TE. Then you state Everett will be the starter.

My main point is look for a breakout year for the TE’s. I think especially after the SuperBowl loss last season.
The way the TE position is catching TD’s is a reflection. If you go by the past when Higbee had a bad case of the dropsie’s & Everett was hurt early. I was upset Snead & Demoff did not address the position last season. This season I don’t see any surprises at TE either. Mundt looks like he is a capable of handling the backup role & was a practice squad guy.

Whatever your colors are I think it does not fit well with the TE’s.

 

[So Ram]

TE production needs work.
Lack of targets isn’t by design. They are running routes and get targeted when open.
Desperately needed that guy in the seam when Goff was facing heavy pressure.
Everett only had 7 targets all post season with only 2 catches. Only 1 target in SB. That’s not gonna cut it.
McVay cut his teeth coaching TE, and clearly didn’t see the need to upgrade the position in the draft or FA so I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s got planned.

Phillips is now coach TE’s.Waldron gets more time as OC.

I think Henderson with DT’s over Johnson
is a big deal.

 

[oldnotdead]

In order for McVay to stay ahead of the DC's game planning "his" offense, he must expand the use of both TE's and RBs in his passing game. I think he tipped his hand a bit when the drafted Henderson. I expect both TE's and RB's to get more targets this season. It will be interesting to see if he also plays Everett in the slot. Regardless Everett has all the physical traits you want in a receiving TE. He's tall enough at 6'3" and with his 33" arms he has good length. His basketball background serves him well with body control and making contested catches. At 4.6 he's got safety speed and yet he's a physical mis-match for LBs and most safeties. He's agile with excellent balance. He just needed work on running routes and playing at this level. He's shown excellent development over the past 2 years.

If the TE's get more focus in the passing game, I think both Higbee and especially Everett will respond and meet the challenge. It's one position I'm not really worried about. Thus far this position has excellent talent that simply has been under utilized. That's how talented this team is.

 

[BonifayRam]

I would think that Snead has already assigned priorities to his 2019 college scout team with the" in line" TE being high on the major needs for the 2020 draft.

Likewise, its very important that the Rams find an" in line" 3rd TE out of the 3 signed UDFA's. Not sure we have a legit bona fide 3rd in line TE on this roster.