Although the Los Angeles Rams have endured a disappointing 2019 NFL season, they can at least take solace in the fact that quarterback Jared Goff appears to have found himself a new safety net in tight end Tyler Higbee.
Higbee had largely played a modest role in the passing game throughout the year. Of course, that changed with his historic performance down the final stretch of the 2019 campaign after becoming just the fourth tight end in NFL history to have four consecutive games with more than 100 receiving yards.
While the two have always been good friends since their arrival as members of the 2016 NFL Draft, this is the first time their chemistry has been able to translate to the field. It is safe to say that it has paid huge dividends for both sides.
Goff admits that there is a sense of confidence he feels throwing to Higbee, via ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry:
“I trust him as much as anybody,” said Goff, noting that Higbee is one of his best friends. “That’s why I feel comfortable throwing him the ball.”
Goff added that Higbee’s size makes him a much easier target to find as well:
“It helps,” Goff said about having a big target in the passing game. “He does have that big frame, that big wingspan. I can kind of throw it anywhere near him he’s got great hands, he’s shown all that. We do like using him on stuff where I can miss a little bit at times. He can make that play.”
Goff’s comments are certainly understandable considering he has relied heavily on Higbee as a safety net this past month. It is safe to say that he will not be switching up his approach any time soon as long as his good friend continues to make the most out of his targets.
Higbee’s emergence began when tight end Gerald Everett went down with a knee injury and he was expected to take on an expanded role in the passing game. It seems the rest may be history after Everett saw little playing time in his first game back during the Week 16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
As a result, the Rams may be preparing to utilize Higbee as a complete tight end as both a blocker and a receiver. This is a necessary step if he hopes to emerge as a bonafide elite player at his position in the 2020 NFL season.
In 14 games this season, Higbee has posted career-highs in receptions (61) and receiving yards (650) while tying his career-high in touchdowns (two), which is not bad for a player who has been labeled as a block-first tight end for a majority of his career.
