Since being selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Tyler Higbee has emerged as a solid tight end for the Los Angeles Rams.
The Western Kentucky product enjoyed a breakout season in 2019 when he set career-highs in receptions (69), receiving yards (734) and touchdowns (three). He followed up that performance by catching five touchdowns during the 2020 season and looked ready to take the next step in his career.
However, Higbee put up only modest numbers in each of the past two seasons. He was targeted 108 times last year and hauled in 72 catches for 620 yards and three touchdowns.
Former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Rob Gronkowski believes Higbee could be even better if he’s given more opportunities, per Lorenzo Reyna of Heavy:
“He can definitely move. He can zig-and-zag. He can get open. I would say with him, though, it’s just a little bit more consistency,” Gronkowski explained to Heavy. “There’s some games where he has breakout games and then there’s some games where you don’t really hear about him and he’s not making that many plays. I’m not sure if it’s the offensive system that he’s in and not really getting that many opportunities but when you see a guy like him making those plays that he can make, I feel like you should give him more opportunities.”
As the Rams look to turn the page on a disappointing 2022 season, they have already made plenty of changes to the coaching staff and reportedly are in the process of hiring Mike LaFleur as their new offensive coordinator.
With Sean McVay returning as head coach and LaFleur on board, the Rams could look to involve Higbee more on offense next season. Matthew Stafford will also be back at quarterback, and his supporting cast of playmakers includes Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson, among others.
Tyler Higbee: ‘Pretty cool’ to set Rams’ record for most touchdowns by tight end
Higbee caught a pair of touchdowns in the Rams’ 51-14 win over the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day, and his first score put him in uncharted territory as he passed Damone Johnson for the most touchdowns by a tight end in franchise history (19).
Higbee said after the game that his main focus was on helping the Rams get a victory and he would reflect on his record-breaking catch after the season.
