LA Rams tight ends hold key to 2024 success

The LA Rams tight end position appears to have been thrust into the spotlight for 2024. But, will it shine or melt in that spotlight?

Last season was unexpected in the eyes of NFL experts. It was a playoff appearance from the Los Angeles Rams, a 10-7 record that blew expectations out of the water.

In the Wild Card Round, tight-end Tyler Higbee suffered a torn ACL in the Rams' playoff loss to the Detroit Lions. Since the injury happened so late, Higbee may be out all of the 2024 season. As a result, Rams GM Les Snead acted quickly in free agency and signed former Seattle Seahawks TE Colby Parkinson.

So, the question is, what does Parkinson mean for fellow tight ends Davis Allen, Hunter Long, and Brycen Hopkins? There is only so much playing time for Head Coach Sean McVay to give out.

First, the Rams added free agent Colby Parkinson to a three-year, 22.5 Million contract. A well-known run blocker, Parkinson makes his impact beyond the stat sheet. A big-bodied 6-foot-7, 251 pounds, Parkinson moves well enough to pull across the line on run plays. In Seattle, Colby didn't have a huge impact on the passing game, hauling in 25 catches for 247 yards and two touchdowns last season. Expect that to change in Los Angeles with Matthew Stafford at quarterback.

Parkinson was a vertical threat in college at Stanford, catching seven touchdowns his sophomore season. It's also worth noting that Parkinson was selected just ahead of Rams FA Brycen Hopkins in the 2020 NFL Draft. Look for Parkinson to compete for the TE1 role on the depth chart. Could the Rams have signed the tight end they wanted to draft years ago?