As the Los Angeles Rams finalize their plans for the 2025 NFL Draft, I find myself uncertain about which path they’ll take. Some positions on the roster lack depth and high-end talent compared to others, which makes them logical targets during the early rounds of the draft. But with the Rams not picking until late in Round 3, the question becomes: what will they do?
Many experts view this part of the draft as a sweet spot—where teams can find great value. While the picks may not yield All-Pro talent, there’s a wealth of players capable of becoming solid NFL starters. That depth, particularly in positions that may not be urgent needs, is what makes this decision tricky.
One spot I anticipate the Rams will address is tight end. Despite already carrying several TEs on the roster, including Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and Davis Allen, the group feels more like a rotation than a solidified unit. An accomplished rookie could shake things up.
Tyler Higbee remains the most productive of the bunch, but at 32, injuries are becoming a concern.
Colby Parkinson brings size and blocking ability, but he didn’t deliver the receiving production the team hoped for.
Davis Allen, the youngest of the group, showed promise as a rookie but hit a wall in his second season. Still, he’s affordable, can block, and might bounce back.
If the Rams finally secure the tight end they’ve been chasing in the past two drafts, it could push one of the current players out of a role.
Higbee’s starting job appears safe, especially after a strong finish to the 2024 season. It’s unlikely an unproven rookie will leapfrog him right away. Likewise, Davis Allen, with his low cap hit and team-friendly contract, is likely to stick around.
That puts Parkinson in a precarious spot. He didn’t produce at the level expected, and his inconsistency led the coaching staff to rotate in Hunter Long and Allen as they searched for a long-term answer behind Higbee.
If the Rams stick with their previous draft strategy, they could finally land a high-upside rookie tight end, someone who could grow into Higbee’s eventual replacement. The question is: who? There are several intriguing prospects in this year’s class, and hopefully, the team won’t repeat the frustrating habit of keeping rookie offensive weapons on the bench for a season.
Any tight end drafted in 2025 will need playing time to grow. That almost certainly means Parkinson could be the odd man out. And if the team fails to develop a true successor to Higbee, that could prove more damaging than not drafting one at all.
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