3 forgotten LA Rams offensive weapons you may be reading about Sunday evening
By Bret Stuter
I: TE Davis Allen
While you may not think of LA Rams rookie tight end Davis Allen as a forgotten offensive weapon, he has managed to catch six of seven passes thrown his way. Against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14, Allen has a huge game, catching four of five passes thrown his way for 50 yards and a touchdown. That was a pretty solid showing for a rookie on the road in an important game.
I was torn in my projection for Week 18. I believe that in the absence of veteran Tyler Higbee, the Rams will want to establish a tight end as a viable piece to their offense, if for no other reason than to slow down the 49ers linebackers.
In their Week 2 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Rams certainly tried to get veteran tight end Tyler Higbee involved, throwing the football his way seven times. Unfortunately, Higbee was only able to come down with three receptions, and was only able to put up 12 receiving yards in the game.
With Higbee out for Week 18 with a shoulder injury, I don't believe that the Rams will abandon the tight end position. The only question is, will it be veteran Brycen Hopkins, or rookie Davis Allen? So far in 2023, Hopkins has caught three of four passes for 31 yards. while Allen has caught six of seven passes for 70 yards and a touchdown.
The Rams will want to work short and intermediate routes to keep the 49ers defense honest, and I do not think that the Rams will work either rookie WR Puka Nacua or veteran WR Demarcus Robinson hard due to the reality that both have been vital contributors to the Rams late season rally. Backup quarterback Carson Wentz had plenty of experience throwing to tight ends in the Philadelphia Eagles offense, and I believe that he will find the Rams tight ends equally up to the challenge.