The Los Angeles Rams’ tight end room got a big boost this offseason when Terrance Ferguson was drafted in the second round at No. 46 overall. The rookie steps in as a potentially impactful playmaker in Year 1, but he won’t be handed the starting job. Not with other veterans already on the roster.
Now that Higbee is healthy and Ferguson brings some youth, there’s a lot of excitement about the Rams’ tight end group. Sean McVay and Les Snead have even hinted at using more 12 personnel this season, pairing their tight ends together to keep defenses on their toes.
Roster locks
Higbee and Ferguson should be the top two tight ends on the depth chart and are locks to make the team. Higbee is the savvy veteran, while Ferguson is the young, athletic weapon who could really contribute as a receiver early on this season.
Likely to make it
Parkinson seems like a logical trade candidate with the Rams standing to gain nearly $8 million in cap space if he’s traded, but there’s also a chance he could be cut. They’d save about $5.25 million if he’s released, which is preventing him from being a lock like the other two players above.
On the bubble
The Rams could roll into the season with only three tight ends but they may choose to go with more depth by keeping one of the other three tight ends in this category.
Allen is entering his third season so he has a decent chance to make the team, especially being a former fifth-round pick. Torres and Redman are both undrafted rookies and they play a position where it can be difficult to make the 53-man roster in Year 1.
If the Rams do keep four, it seems much more likely that they’ll give Allen another shot by keeping him over one of the other two undrafted rookies.
Position battle to watch
Higbee will have the edge on Ferguson to begin camp and that’s likely to remain the case entering the season, too. He’s just more experienced and showed late last season that he still has some juice. But Ferguson has the athleticism and skill set to stand out in practice and earn more reps as the season approaches.
There will be some situations where Ferguson is on the field and Higbee isn’t, and those are the reps he has to take advantage of.
Potential sleeper
There really isn’t a sleeper at tight end. Parkinson and Allen are both established players who won’t sneak up on anyone, and the two rookies went undrafted for a reason. It’d be great if Torres or Redman can shine in training camp and the preseason to earn a spot on the team but that doesn’t seem probable.
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This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams training camp preview: Breaking down LA’s TE group for 2025
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
