Latest Dolphins trade creates golden opportunity for Rams to fix this mistake

The Los Angeles Rams did not have a great deal of success in the 2024 NFL Free Agency market. The team signed veteran IOL Jonah Jackson, DB Tre'Davious White, DB Darious Williams, DB John Johnson III, and TE Colby Parkinson. White was unable to play and was traded. Jackson was injured, couldn't crack the starting lineup, and was subsequently traded away as well. Darious Williams was injured for much of the early part of the season, but he hopes to be healthy and perform better in 2025.

And then there is tight end Colby Parkinson. Despited a contract that screams starting tight end, he simply never panned out in the Rams offense. It was so bad that the team began to redirect offensive snaps and targets to TE Hunter Long and Davis Allen after the first few games. And when starting tight end Tyler Higbee returned from a devastating injury, he outperformed Parkinson so much that he scored more touchdowns in three games than Parkinson had all season.

And Parkinson was supposed to be a Red Zone afficionado for the offense in 2024. Oops!

Well, believe it or not, the Rams have a real chance to part ways with Parkinson and perhaps land a respectable draft pick in return. You see, the Miami Dolphins sent TE Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers as part two of a two-part trade that sent DB Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for DB Minkah FItzpatrick.

Leading to these instant NFL rumors that the Miami Dolphins are now scrambling to land a veteran tight end.

The Rams ought to be discussing that Dolphins' need.

The current Dolphins roster's need for a veteran tight end creates an excellent opportunity to shed the rather burdensome contract of Colby Parkinson and acquire another draft pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Even a seventh-round pick would be nice. And the absence of Parkinson would instantly create a clear path for rookie TE Terrance Ferguson to show up in 12-personnel formations.

If the Rams want an additional tight end, the Chicago Bears have already released former Rams TE Gerald Everett. While he should not be viewed as a starter, he would be excellent to backfill Parkinson's spot on the team in training camp, and be a solid just-in-case option for the offense if an ill-timed injury should occur.

The Rams took a chance on TE Colby Parkinson, and it didn't work out. So far, the Rams have corrected two of those free agent mistakes by trading the player away for a modest draft upgrade. That same avenue appears to be open to fix the lack of fit of Colby Parkinson in this offense now.

The Rams are not shy about taking chances to improve the roster. That not only means adding players, but in parting ways with the ones who do not work out.

As always, thanks for reading.

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