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The Los Angeles Rams focused on fixing their putrid offense in the 2016 NFL Draft. After trading for the first overall pick then selecting Jared Goff at the top of the draft, Les Snead and Jeff Fisher added four weapons for their new franchise QB.
One of those weapons - TE Tyler Higbee out of Western Kentucky - is already turning heads at camp.
At 6’6” and 250 lbs., he’s hard to miss...especially when he’s getting open as often as he is. And unlike his predecessor TE Jared Cook, Higbee is actually catching balls thrown his way.
From FOX Sports:
Whether it's starting quarterback Case Keenum or rookie star Jared Goff, the ball is coming to Higbee, and Higbee is consistently making the catches.
The coaches have taken notice, and Higbee is already getting time with the starting offense. This is in line with Jeff Fisher saying Higbee could ‘emerge early’ in the season.
Both Cooper and Higbee have been running with the 1s early on. Fisher: “That should tell you something…they have a good feel."
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) August 1, 2016
While Cooper and Higbee have gotten praise from coaches, Higbee and UDFA Duke Williams have started earning the respect of teammates as well. Higbee is even getting some consideration as an underdog pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Given the nature of #Fisherball, I think that is a stretch, but Higbee is definitely drawing notice around the football world.
This is all a boon for Goff given the Rams dearth of reliable receiving options in recent memory. Conventional wisdom says that a Rookie QB’s best friend is a steady TE. It seems that Higbee is already developing some chemistry with Goff which means nothing but good things for the Rams offense.