LA Rams: Tight end mania hits LA as Rams add TE Markway

The LA Rams have added another tight end to the team, this time tight end Kyle Markway, to the team. Markway was a 2020 undrafted free agent addition to the Cleveland Browns in September 2020, and who was subsequently released from the team in May 2021.  He is a former South Carolina Gamecock and rejoins former teammate ILB Ernest Jones and Coach Thomas Brown (running back coach) with the LA Rams organization.

Markway is 6-foot-4 and 250-pounds, and while he spent all of 2020 on the Browns’ practice squad, he was unable to retain a roster spot to compete for the team this year. While that window closed a door of opportunity has opened for the young man with the LA Rams. And if you needed the reminder, LA Rams running back coach Thomas Brown’s fingerprints are all over this one.

Markway is the second Gamecock to join the roster this year.  He brings a bit more to the Rams than a camp-body, as he has the Gerald Everett type skillset to flash at both blocking and pass-catching. He joins the tight-end group that already has five players. While Ben Skowronek remains as a wide receiver, he has the skillsets of a hybrid tight-end/wide-receiver as well.

His signing comes one day after we hypothesized that the 12-package would become a staple of the offense this year. Classifying rookie Jacob Harris as a tight end, retaining blocking tight end Johnny Mundt, and the advancement of pass-catching tight end Brycen Hopkins gives the Rams three alternative skillsets to mix and match with veteran Tyler Higbee. Markway, although a bit raw, is closer to the skillset of Higbee.

It won’t be easy for Markway in training camp, as he faces a lot of ground to makeup and he is starting sixth on the depth chart. But Coach Brown will no doubt make time for one of his former players, and he will benefit from a full training camp to earn the trust of the coaching staff.

Tight end mania? Perhaps. But this is certainly a most curious addition to a team suddenly down a running back and somewhat thin at some defensive positions.