There are just two players on the current Rams roster that were there before Sean McVay was hired in 2017. Offensive Tackle Rob Havenstein (2nd rounder in 2015) and Tyler Higbee (4th rounder in 2016). Higbee started seven games as a rookie and never looked back. He sits atop the franchise’s all-time leaders in yards, catches, and touchdowns among tight ends by a country mile. The past couple of years have showed the human side of a career in the NFL, however. A torn ACL in January 2024 (2023 playoffs) kept him out until week 16 last season. Over the five game stretch he played (including two postseason games), Higbee caught 20 of 25 targets and three touchdowns while adding a presence they had been missing as a blocker. The intangibles and versatility are key reasons why the team opted to bring him back for the final year of his contract.
Sean McVay has always been an 11-personnel biased playcaller. He uses the three-receiver grouping more than everybody no matter what the injury situation is. In 2024 alone, their offensive efficiency was notably higher with more tight ends and less receivers on the field but he had no choice but to keep leaning into what he’s been comfortable with. The Higbee injury kept him out of the picture for most of the season and there wasn’t much left on the depth chart to lean on. Grabbing a young tight end was clearly a priority as General Manager Les Snead traded up for Ferguson to make him the first selection of their 2025 Draft class. One of the top athletes at the position, one of the biggest, and one of the most productive all funneled to him clearly being viewed as a weapon this offense desperately needed; a passing offense that was among the league’s worst in the red zone and on third down. His yard-after-catch production at Oregon was in Brock Bowers territory and his ability to create big plays can solve a sore spot for the Rams tight ends, a group that had less catches of 20+ yards than every team in the NFL last year.
Prediction: Ferguson
This is a bit outside the box but all Ferguson needs to prove is the ability to handle blocking responsibilities in order to get this starting role. He is on a completely different level as an athlete and playmaker than the 32-year old Higbee playing on a bum knee. The leadership and clutch-ability the veteran has can still be used as I expect them to use more 12/13 personnel but his pitch count will be easier to manage as a situational player.