It's not even training camp and these Rams players are already discounted

Despite the accolades and achievements of the Los Angeles Rams' offense, this has been an offense defined by its play-action passing and elite wide receivers. That is a shame, because the team has had some talented tight ends on the roster. To prove that point, TE Tyler Higbee rolled up 522 receiving yards and two touchdowns in December 2019, proving that he could perform at an elite level in the NFL if needed.

Unfortunately, the Rams have opted to feature wide receivers and running backs in the Sean McVay-inspired offensive strategy. And that trend is getting recognized around the NFL by executives, coaches, and scouts. You see, ESPN's NFL Insider/analyst Jeremy Fowler is back once more, this time sharing the viewpoints of a panel of NFL experts regarding the Top 10 tight ends in the NFL.

But as it happens, with honorable mentions and listing players who received votes, the list includes 22 NFL tight ends. So, what's the problem?

The Rams' tight end room didn't crack the list. Two Pittsburgh Steelers tight ends cracked the Top 15 list. Two Baltimore Ravens tight ends cracked the Top 10 list. But the Rams offense does not boast a single tight end that warrants being mentioned among the NFL's best tight ends, not even in a list that names 22 players.

Is it fair? Based on the performance of the Rams' tight ends in 2024, probably so. Still, if veteran TE Tyler Higbee remains healthy in 2025, and there are no reasons why he shouldn't, he is due to put up 500+ receiving yards this season. And that 500 receiving yards plateau seems to be the cutoff for players making this list.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has already asserted that Super Bowl Champions need to have an elite tight end on the team's roster. And amidst the current chaos of Round 2 rookies from the 2025 NFL Draft, any expectations for an immediate positive impact from rookie TE Terrance Ferguson in the 2025 NFL season are fading fast.

I'm not crying that the sky is falling over SoFi Stadium just yet, but it does throw a new complication into the machinery for the Rams offense in 2025. Hopefully, Terrance Ferguson will show up and play hard in the Rams' training camp and compete for the starting role at tight end with Tyler Higbee. The Rams have invested a significantly valuable draft pick in the selection of Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson. The team's track record for offensive weapons is not good for rookies, but Ferguson may prove to be the exception to the rule.

As it now stands, NFL experts don't see it. They don't see much tight end potential in 2025 from any Rams player. Are they right? It's not even training camp, and the Rams' entire tight end room is already discounted. There's only one way to be sure. Grab your beverages and popcorn, fans. See you at training camp.

As always, thanks for reading.

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