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?

Rounding out the Rams TE roster

1. What of second year tight end Davis Allen?
2. Time's up for seldom-used TE Brycen Hopkins
3. Will Hunter Long be a factor in 2024?

What of second year tight end Davis Allen?

The Rams have the makings of a stud in the form of second-year tight end Davis Allen. The fifth-round selection in last year's NFL Draft received more playing time than most anticipated. Allen earned his way up the depth chart past veteran TE Brycen Hopkins and an oft-injured Hunter Long as the season went on. When starter TE Tyler Higbee went down due to injury, he suited up and took over. Allen is a big-bodied 6-foot-6, 245 pounds who can block and is also a solid vertical threat.

Davis hauled in ten receptions out of 11 targets for 95 yards and one touchdown. His best performance of the season was against the stiff Baltimore Ravens defense when Allen caught four passes for 50 yards and a score. Just 23 years old, Allen's development is certainly a topic to watch over the next few seasons.

Allen came on late in 2023, but did so in such a strong way that it's difficult now to see him earning more playing time and a larger role in this offense in 2024. But how large? It's clear that the team does not view Allen as an immediate starter. But why so much interest in Colby Parkinson? We will find out this season.

Time's up for seldom-used TE Brycen Hopkins

Veteran TE Brycen Hopkins is an unrestricted free agent as his rookie contract expires. Hopkins was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Originally drafted to take over the role of former Rams TE Gerald Everett, he has been underwhelming.

In 34 games played Brycen totaled 13 receptions for 196 yards with no touchdowns. That's not much for a guy whose contract has expired. Hopkins never seemed to earn enough consistent playing time to make a difference. In McVay's offense, you must earn your time on the field. Blocking is a must, and the optics on Hopkins is such that he seemed to struggle at blocking consistently. We've likely seen the last of Brycen Hopkins in a Rams uniform.

Will Hunter Long be a factor in 2024?

Veteran tight end Hunter Long is the third tight end on the Rams' depth chart. Long was acquired in the trade via the Miami Dolphins, a trade that also sent defensive back Jalen Ramsey to play for the Dolphins. In mid-December, Rams Coach McVay announced that Long suffered a season-ending MCL injury. A large unknown surrounds Long, largely due to his inexperience and his lack of durability.

Long was drafted by the Dolphins in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Since then, he's seen minimal time on the field due to injuries. Long has just one career reception for eight yards two seasons ago in 2021. The 25-year-old tight-end seems penciled in as the third tight-end but has the most to prove.

No, I didn't forget about starting TETyler Higbee. The longtime Ram suffered a torn ACL in last season's playoff game against the Lions. The injury places Higbee in a difficult situation. At 31 years old, Tyler's best years are likely behind him, add on the strain of an ACL recovery, and he could drastically decline. Higbee carries a $12 Million cap hit in 2024 and $9 Million in 2025. It wouldn't be how Higbee or the Rams' front office wants his tenure as a Ram to end, but the possibility of Higbee's contract being moved or cut completely is in the realm of possibilities.

The tight ends for the Rams in the 2024 season will be Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, and Hunter Long. Averaging 6-foot-6, the group is filled with bruisers. Although the three are not exactly bursting with NFL experience, the Rams have a trend of solid player development. Rams fans should be excited to watch their tight ends develop across the 2024 season.