Who will earn the TE2 role for the LA Rams in 2022?

Pass catcher

The LA Rams have a pass-catching tight end in Tyler Higbee and have been completely satisfied with his role in their offense. That is not to say that Higbee cannot hold his own at blocking, he most certainly can. But Higbee has for all intents and purposes supplied the big-bodied receiver that has made the offense both productive and unpredictable.

It was Higbee’s December 2019 performance, 43 of 56 passes for 522 yards and two touchdowns, that ensured the Rams would continue their streak of successful over-.500 seasons. But it has not just been his ability to flip into a primary receiving threat that keeps him so very relevant in this offense.

When the Rams need scores in a physical game, Higbee delivers. He put up two touchdowns in the LA Rams’ losing effort in Week 18 against their NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers.  He put up three touchdowns in 2020’s Week 2 contest against the tough Philadelphia Eagles.  Whenever the Rams face a physical defense and need a spark to the offense, Higbee is the guy.

Now, we are by no means suggesting that no other tight ends can evolve into a viable pass-catching target for the Rams in the 2022 NFL season. But as of today, at this moment in time, the team has no alternative for the type of production that Higbee supplies.

Tyler Higbee caught 61 of 85 passes in 2021 for 560 yards and five touchdowns. All other tight ends in 2021, combined, caught six of nine passes for 55 yards and zero touchdowns.  While some believe that several tight ends have turned the corner and will step up, the LA Rams have not proven that they have a true backup to Tyler Higbee. That was problematic in 2021 and could prove to be a problem in 2022.