I honestly don't think anyone is overlooking Brycen. But it's becoming increasingly obvious that Harris has an exceptional skillset, the kind most HC only dream of a TE having. He will be on par with guys like Graham and Kelce IMO.
Higbee's contract runs through 2023. At that point, he will be 30. His dead cap is such they can release him at anytime after this year. As long as he's producing I think he will remain with the team. I see Harris being the #2 TE this year simply because they can play him out of the slot. His length and speed are a mismatch for any DB or LB they want to put on him. Once he's established as the TE threat he can be, it will allow McVay to play Tutu out of the slot. Facing that kind of speed no defense will match up. Teams might have one CB with that kind of speed but most will be forced to play zone. That will make Stafford's reads simple. Once the ball is snapped he will know immediately what version he's facing and who is likely to be open.
People worry about the OL. Geez, this is Stafford we are talking about. He's going to get the ball out on time. If the defense blitzes, they will pay the penalty. Even this year once teams know what they are facing with Harris and they got a good look Saturday they have to worry. I doubt that Harris will play another snap this pre-season and it will be Blanton, Mundt, and Markway the rest of pre-season. It's obvious the only reason they signed Markway is to see if he can be a lead blocker. In his case the lead impeder as he's not moving anyone.
The number of players being held out just went up to 37 (Benny Sko and Harris). IMO Blanton goes to the PS and is next in line when they decide Higbee is done. IMO, Tyler becomes prime trade bait next year with a very affordable 2 yrs remaining on his contract ($6.8M/yr). Detroit would love to have him as he's better than everyone else other than Hockenson. They could play 12 personnel and it would improve their run game as well. That would give Goff 3 receivers.
The emergence of Harris and Blanton who is having a good TC puts that on the table next year. If they carry 4 TEs and Blanton is #4 look for Higbee to be traded. Blanton might not clear waivers as even the Hawks are looking for one more TE. The Rams need to draft a RB next year and so if they can get a second or third-round pick for a starting TE I think they make the move. That next RB will be big (5'11", close to 230-250 lbs IMO) and fast, running in the low 4.4 range at least. But in reality, all the Rams need is to run power with a true lead blocker not named Markway.
I wouldn't be surprised for them to sign a RB now to help them finish the pre-season. Benny Sko is a warning sign and I think Anderson and whoever they sign won't make the roster but will carry the load in pre-season. This will allow them to hold out all 4 of their roster RBs, Henderson, Funk, Jones and Calais. It wouldn't surprise me if McVay's hold out list went up to 40 from here on out.
I think Hekker will be punting the rest of the way because I think they have seen enough and
Bojorquez will be the punter this year. Why? Hekker's punts were low and he's trying to win with placement but it makes his kicks returnable if the returner can catch it.
Bojorquez gets distance and hangtime.
Also, DeCamillis showed what he's going to do on KOs. He's going to try to get the kick into a corner inside the 5 yd line and expect the coverage to make the stop inside the 20. Kicking like that limits the returner's options and reduces the field the coverage unit has to cover.
This is not going to be the Ram team the NFCW expects. If they are watching closely they will know who and what they are going to face. McVay's hold-out list tells them more than the game. They will know the roster give or take the bottom 5. They will know the ones on both sides of the ball.
The Bears are already scared because they won't play their future franchise QB. IMO the Niners feel the same. Murray might want to got to MLB next year. Wilson is hoping their reconstructed OL holds up.
