If you watch the Rams regularly, then you might have noticed tight ends occupying more screen time in recent weeks. The team has increased its usage of "13" personnel (three TEs) and significantly increased the number of targets heading toward TEs in recent games. Four Rams tight ends caught at least two passes in Sunday's win over the Saints. Rookie Terrance Ferguson led the group (and ranked third on the team) with 54 receiving yards. Tyler Higbee snagged one of Matthew Stafford's 4 TD passes, Higbee's second scoring catch in three games.
Sunday's game marked the second straight in which Rams TEs tallied 13 targets. The group didn't collect more than eight in any of the team's first six games.
| Week | TE Targets | TEam Pass Att | Target % |
| 1 | 4 | 29 | 13.8% |
| 2 | 5 | 33 | 15.2% |
| 3 | 3 | 33 | 9.1% |
| 4 | 8 | 41 | 19.5% |
| 5 | 4 | 47 | 8.5% |
| 6 | 6 | 26 | 23.1% |
| 7 | 13 | 33 | 39.4% |
| 9 | 13 | 32 | 40.6% |
Of course, that target-share growth needs to come from somewhere. And the biggest downward shift has come at WR.
Rams wideouts drew a target on 69.4% of pass attempts through the first six games, with just one game south of 63% and none lower than 58.5%. The past two contests have seen Rams WRs pull 48.5% and 56.3% target shares.
Of course, those two games also found Puka Nacua playing not at all (in Week 7) and then leaving early (Week 9).
His expected return figures to boost that WR share going forward. But we might continue to see fewer 3-WR sets and TEs continue to pull more targets from other positions than they did across the first six games.
The elevated collective role for Rams TEs doesn't necessarily mean we're getting any extra fantasy assets.
The past two weeks have each seen four Rams TEs catch passes. None of those topped 3 receptions in either contest.
Higbee's the best bet among them if you're reaching. He leads the group with 10 targets over the past two games and paces Rams TEs in targets, catches, and yards for the season.
Higbee has 3+ catches in three straight games, but also just two games with 4 catches, no games with more than 40 yards, and the 2 TDs for the year.
Terrance Ferguson's involvement amid a crowd at the position is noteworthy for his long-term outlook.
McVay talked up the rookie's ability after drafting him in Round 2. Ferguson's chances of contributing meaningful 2025 numbers never looked good. But the position could clear out by next year.
Higbee's in the final year of his contract. Davis Allen has one year left but also has just 27 career catches in his third season with the team. And Colby Parkinson looks like a potential cap casualty after this season. ($7 million in 2026 cap savings, according to Spotrac.)
Ferguson would be a nice upside stash ahead of this offseason where possible.
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