Stetson Bennett never knew it, but his college co-star set him up to ace Rams offense

At least the way things stand now, it has been some time since the Los Angeles Rams drafted a top rookie tight end. They attempted in vain select Dalton Kincaid in 2023; that's as close as they have come since taking Tyler Higbee in 2016. In the meantime, they selected Davis Allen (2023), Terrance Ferguson (2025) and Max Klare (2026).

In 2024, the Rams were again thwarted in an attempt to draft former Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers. But ironically, Bowers' influence is not altogether missing from LA's depth chart - at quarterback.

A year earlier, the Rams did manage to draft the guy who made Bowers a top prospect. That's right, quarterback Stetson Bennett was the tight end whisperer in Georgia's offense.

It all builds up to 2026, as the Rams debate which of Bennett or rookie Ty Simpson is best suited to back up Matthew Stafford. And while they have not made any official decision, look for Bennett to emerge as the second-in-command.

Stetson Bennett helped make Bowers a top prospect

Bennett led the Bulldogs to National Championships in 2021 and 2022 with Bowers as his top target. That's no mere coincidence. The two had a rare chemistry that shone at key moments. Bowers has been just as dominant in his two seasons with the Raiders.

That's not so insignificant. The Rams pivoted to a tight-end-friendly strategy last season. That change of tactics gave the entire tight-end room the chance to contribute. All of Higbee, Allen, Ferguson, and TE1 Colby Parkinson produced at least three scores.

In two 2025 preseason games, Bennett connected with tight ends six times out of seven targets for 47 yards. While that may not seem like much, that is nearly 10 percent of Bennett's passing yards, and he was throwing to two different tight ends from a pass-catching pool of 12 players.

It's only natural to see Simpson as a first-round prospect and assume that he is already anointed as the backup. But Bennett is a better fit. Not only is he more experienced and knowledgeable, but he is more suited for a tight-end-centric offense.

Bowers may play for the Raiders, but his production while catching Bennett's passes could have a lingering effect on how Los Angeles will set its depth chart. Who knew.

As always, thanks for reading.

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