LA Rams: Expect these 3 players to have a breakout season in 2022

Tight End #88 – Brycen Hopkins

The LA Rams had held onto the hope that tight end Brycen Hopkins would deliver. But two full seasons, and nearly two full postseasons, before he stepped up for the offense is cutting it close, even for the Rams’ patience in developing young talent

The Rams tight end room was a bit snake bit in the 2021 NFL season. Backup tight end, the best blocker of the group, Johnny Mundt, was waylaid early on with a season-ending injury. Rookie tight end Jacob Harris was also. That placed significant pressure on either Kendall Blanton or Brycen Hopkins to win the backup role. Blanton won.

With the Rams’ top two tight ends, Tyler Higbee and Kendall Blanton unable to go in Super Bowl LVI due to battling injuries, the Rams found it necessary to rely upon backup tighten Brycen Hopkins, who truly stepped up immensely. The third-year player, finally showcased his ability to deliver for the Rams in Super Bowl LVI, catching four passes for 47 yards.

Hopkins and another backup tight end, Kendall Blanton, were in close competition throughout much of the 2021 NFL season.  But as fate would have it during Super Bowl LVI, Blanton would also fall to injury.

That twist of fate resulted in Hopkins acting as the main (well, only) pass-catching option at the tight end position. With Higbee’s history of injuries, Hopkins might be in line to build on that performance for a larger role this year. With Hopkins’ Super Bowl performance, all eyes are on him to take on a more enhanced role as Higbee’s top backup next season. The only question remaining is whether he can seize the opportunity.