Don't overlook this under-the-radar hire to the Rams coaching staff

Time to tackle the tight end position

Another positional group that has seen better days is the tight end position. While never boasting a 1000 yard receiver under HC Sean McVay, the Rams offense has not looked the other way when factoring in the impact of a good tight end. Quite the contrary, as the tight end position played a vital role for the team throughout 2017 through the 2020 NFL seasons.

After tight end Gerald Everett's contract expired at the end of the 2020 season, the Rams offense seemed to have a change of heart over the use of the tight end position. While Tyler Higbee remained involved in the offense, tight end Johnny Mundt was used sparingly and only as a blocking tight end in limited use. After Mundt's contract expired after 2021, the team was content to go almost exclusively with the 11-personnel package (3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 RB)

Is it time to revisit tight ends?

The Rams have been a bit stale at the tight end position of late, with an aging Tyler Higbee holding down the fort, but no clear successor pushing him for playing time. Well, not until rookie tight end Davis Allen showed up in 2023. The 6-foot-6 245-pound rookie was able to haul in 10 of 11 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown in 192 offensive snaps. Can he do more? Well, he will need to see more playing time.

Perhaps a greater for for Allen is on the horizon. Coach Schuplinski was the tight ends coach for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023, a team that saw four different tight ends get involved in the offense in 2023. Much of rookie TE Michael Meyer's success was attributable to Coach Schuplinski, who had coached Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo when the two were with the Patriots in the past.

Below is a video snippet of Coach Schuplinski in an interview regarding his approach to coaching Raiders players. I brought it to your attention because I believe it illustrates his coaching style, but also his deliberate and thoughtful choice of words.

I think Coach Jerry Schuplinski is an excellent addition to the Rams coaching staff, and brings expertise in aspects of the team that may need a bit of help in 2024. If 2023 is an example, the team will be able to make great strides this season as well.