Predictions for LA Rams 8 top free agents this year

Free Agent VI – Tight end Gerald Everett

Background – Tight end Gerald Everett has been a young man who truly has been promised great things in the Rams offense, but has yet to deliver. The problem is, his number just doesn’t get called often enough.

Strengths – Everett is an offensive player who has the feel of someone who was completely underused in the Rams offense. He is a 6-foot-3 240-pound target who historically catches two of every three passes thrown his way. He is a solid blocker as well. But he was always capable of dominating in the passing game. He will be a starting tight end in 2021.

Weaknesses – Everett is fighting against history. He is that guy who seems to always be saying ‘I’m gonna!  I’m gonna!’ but never does. The LA Rams offense uses meritocracy to doll out offensive snaps. In short, hot players earn bigger roles. Everett flashes in a dominating game but quickly drops back to earth with a pedestrian effort.

Estimated market value – Gerald Everett is a starting-caliber tight end who could improve dramatically with a larger offensive role. But to discover if he can deliver, an NFL team will need to ink him to a contract.  That being the case, look for him to land a $6-7 million per year contract, but with less guaranteed money than expected, perhaps as little as only 25 percent.

Estimated team action – The LA Rams tipped their hand on Everett a year ago when selecting tight end Brycen Hopkins in the 2020 NFL Draft, only to redshirt him last year. The team already paid a hefty sum to Tyler Higbee. Everett will hopefully land a large enough contract to make the LA Rams eligible for a 2022 NFL Draft compensatory pick award.

Most likely team to sign him – The obvious choices here are the Detroit Lions (to reunite with Jared Goff) and the Seattle Seahawks (let’s face it, the Seahawks have never met a tight end that they didn’t like).  But I can’t shake the suspicion that the Green Bay Packers will compete for his services. He would be a natural in their offense and could be a nice target for Aaron Rodgers.