Will Brycen Hopkins play a role in the LA Rams offense this year?

If you have seen LA Rams’ second-year tight end Brycen Hopkins play on offense this year, you were seeing things. In fact, the young man has not contributed on offense or special teams whatsoever this season.  Unlike 2020, when the young man appeared for two offensive snaps, and 50 plays on special teams. This year, he has seemingly become the Rams’ secret weapon: A secret so secure that not even the LA Rams coaches know about him.

So the question becomes, why do the LA Rams have him taking up a roster spot? If he is valued, shouldn’t he play? Of course, if he isn’t playing a lick, shouldn’t the Rams have freed up that roster spot and filled it with someone more deserving?

I’m all about developing players, getting them to the point where their NFL playing debut is all about an even 50/50 chance of success or better. But this is the guy’s second year on the LA Rams roster. When veteran tight end Johnny Mundt went down to injury, Hopkins was the natural option in a “next man up” meritocracy. But Hopkins did not play.

Rams roster or greener pastures

In fact, the Rams promoted tight-end Kendall Blanton from the practice squad to fill that missing roster spot, then the team abandoned two tight-end packages altogether. Per Lineups.com, the LA Rams did not use Brycen Hopkins at all this season.  But the matter goes beyond that now.

In the four weeks since Mundt’s injury, the Rams have played Blanton just 27 offensive snaps. In three games, he was limited to just two snaps per game. His lone spike occurred in Week 8 when the team pulled the offensive starters off the field to avoid injury and running up the score on the Houston Texans.

I don’t dislike Brycen Hopkins. I’m just pointing out the obvious, that the LA Rams have decided he is not worthy of playing: Neither on special teams nor on the offense – despite circumstances that would seem to create opportunities for him to do so. In the end, this all comes down to a simple basic question. Do the Rams trust him enough to play him? If not, shouldn’t they cut him so that he can land on another NFL team that does?