Rival star reveals shocking reason why the Rams sought an elite rookie TE

The Los Angeles Rams won Super Bowl LVI, fell to a record of 5-12, and have been searching for an elite tight end in the annual NFL draft to help lead the team back to the promised land ever since. In the 2023 NFL Draft, the team tried to trade into Round 1 to select Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid. The Buffalo Bills ultimately selected him. In the 2024 NFL Draft, the team tried to trade up for Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. The Las Vegas Raiders ultimately selected him.

In the 2025 NFL Draft, the team tried to trade up once more. Some NFL rumors suggest that the target was Arizona wide receiver Tet McMillan. But both Michigan tight end Colston Loveland and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren were still on the board at the time. The Chicago Bears selected Loveland, while the Indianapolis Colts selected Warren.

By the time the Rams finally did step up to the draft podium, the team managed to make a trade. But this trade dropped the Rams backward into Round 2. There, the team managed to select Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson. So, two questions come to mind. First and foremost, why have the Rams fixated on drafting a tight end since 2022? And perhaps more importantly, is rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson the right rookie to fulfill those expectations?

Rival star reveals shocking reason why Rams sought an elite rookie TE

When it comes to answers about the Los Angeles Rams strategy, I don't think that San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle is a good starting point. While he deserves plenty of respect for his ability to block and catch footballs, he is not plugged into the Rams organization to offer any insight as to why the team does what it does. But he did stumble onto an intriguing assertion recently when appearing on ESPN Live.

You see, he offered up his opinion as to why the tight end position is so very important in the modern NFL. And his assertion claimed that the past 10 Super Bowl winners have all included an elite tight end. Since the Rams won Super Bowl LVI, does that mean that Rams TE Tyler Higbee is elite?

Well, per 49ers TE George Kittle, apparently so. He asserts that the past 10 Super Bowl winners have all enjoyed the benefit of elite tight end play. If true, then elite performances include Denver Broncos TE Owen Daniels, Philadelphia Eagles TE Dallas Goedert, and Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee. And if you compare the production of Higbee to Goedert, you find that they both have similar impacts to their respective offenses.

Is Kittle onto something?

You cannot ignore the fact that RB Saquon Barkley's sensations 2024 season powered the Eagles to and through to a Super Bowl LIX victory, just as you cannot turn a blind eye to Rams WR Cooper Kupp's phenomenal 2021 NFL season that powered that team to a Super Bowl LVI win. But if Dallas Goedert qualifies as elite in Kittle's argument, then so does Higbee.

There is a pattern forming around the fact that teams that win Super Bowls do have excellent contributions from the tight end position. But being the best in the NFL takes more than a great tight end. To be the best NFL team, many players and position groups must outperform other teams.

Still, it does leave fans wondering. If the Rams noticed the trend, and have come to the same conclusion as 49ers TE George Kittle, that would explain why the team has fixated on drafting an elite tight end in recent drafts. In fact, it explains quite a lot.

As always, thanks for reading.

Check out some recent Rams draft articles that you are sure to enjoy