Over at Bleacher Report Sean Tomlinson went through every NFL team and tried to predict the breakout player for each this upcoming season. Out of all the candidates for the Rams, who did Tomlinson choose?
Tyler Higbee.
Higbee, who was drafted in the fourth round by the Rams in 2016 out of Western Kentucky, will be entering his second NFL season in 2017. In his rookie campaign, the tight end started seven of 16 games, managing 11 receptions for 85 yards. Most of his production came during the latter half of the season when Jared Goff took over starting QB duties, including his only score, which happened in week 16.
But at 6-6 and 250 lbs the 24-year-old Higbee has a lot of upside, and Tomlinson sees a big opportunity:
"Higbee became the Rams' starting tight end after the departure of Lance Kendricks, who was released and signed by the Green Bay Packers. It's likely only a face plant during OTAs and training camp will remove him from that position. That's certainly the impression you get when listening to Rams head coach Sean McVay shower praise on his new tight end.
"McVay was the Washington Redskins' offensive coordinator in 2016, and his unit finished with the most tight end receiving yards. So he knows what a tight end who can thrive in his system looks like."
