LA Rams pick TE Brycen Hopkins as the aerial assault evolves

The LA Rams pick Brycen Hopkins as the passing attack is transformed with each draft selection

In round four, the LA Rams select Brycen Hopkins after moving down into the 136th overall selection of the NFL Draft. Hopkins played tight end at Purdue University of the Big 10 Conference. He stands 6-feet-4 weighing 245 pounds.

Hopkins is the prototypical size for an NFL tight end, according to the standards set by Bill Walsh. At Purdue, he caught 130 passes for 1945 yards with16 touchdowns. He is very quick for his physical size.

At the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.66-second 40-yard dash and he bench-pressed 225 pounds 21 times. Hopkins is the new direction the Rams are going in their passing offense. Remember, Kevin O’Connell is the Rams’ new offensive coordinator.

Hopkins joins the tight end room that currently has five other tight ends. Tyler Higbee is the 2019 starter but expects Hopkins to push him for playing time. Gerald Everett has been singled out, by Rams head coach Sean McVay, to receive more attention in the Rams offense.

Hopkins has a bigger physical presence than Everett. Could it be that Hopkins will become the Rob Gronkowski type of tight end? LA should move Hopkins around in different formations. Lance Zierlein of nfl.com writes the following:

"Flex tight end with enough route acumen and separation quickness to open throwing windows, … While the athletic talent looks good in space, there was a noticeable drop in production and opportunities when matched against man-cover talent. Hopkins could be viewed as a one-dimensional slot tight end with Day 3 draft potential, …"

The selection of Hopkins shows the creativity of O’Connell. It looks like LA is getting bigger, in the receiving corps, in order to create cover problems for opposing secondaries. Hopkins speed is an upgrade for the Rams tight end group.

In 2020, the Rams are going to have a more wide-open offense. Hopkins is the right pick because of the versatility that he brings with his size and speed. Expect his impact to be seen in the red zone offensive sets.

Hopkins might become the roving fullback to lead block for newly drafted running back Cam Akers. The possibilities are limited to the creative mind of O’Connell. Another good selection by Rams general manager Les Snead.