When assessing the Los Angeles Rams draft needs for 2025, at first blush tight end may not seem an area that needs immediate attention or upgrading, Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and Davis Allen all return and combined for 1468 snaps last year, even with incumbent starter Higbee retuning from injury very late in the year.
But a closer look shows that Higbee and Parkinson will be unrestricted free agents in 2026, while Allen’s rookie contract runs through that year. It may suit the Rams to steel an eye to future and identify a prospect. This is a fairly deep tight end class.
After a handful of top prospects, there are a like number of developmental candidate that appear to fit within the Rams Round 6 (four picks) wheelhouse. The subject of this edition of capsule reviews.
Meet the candidates
Height, weight, arm length, 40 split and time in bold
Jake Briningstool - Clemson - 6’ 6” 241 lb. 31 1/2” 1.60/4.75
22 year-old four-star high school recruit. He was the state of Tennessee’s top overall recruit and one of the top nationally. He was quite productive over four years with Clemson, raking in 127 receptions for 1380 yards and 17 scores over 48 games and 26 starts. Named to the Senior Bowl.
Tall and thin build, but with comparably short arms, reports were that he put on weight for the post-season showcases. Good hands, ball-tracking, and flexibility to react to throws that are not on target. Has more of a finesse game, fluid and smooth mover in space, able to find openings in zones, settle down, and provide a big, square target. Reports from the Senior Bowl support this. Not particularly strong against tight coverage and contested catches (only 50% conversion rate). As a blocker, he’s willing and competitive, just lacks the core to move defenders. His feet are fine in reach blocks where he can seal off.
I think the question about Briningstool and other receiving tight ends is “How much value do you put on the potential receiving mismatches they can provide?” If Briningstool (and other receiving first TEs) are going to have to be developed as a blockers and make a living as slot receivers until that happens, they need to be very good. In a fairly deep WR class, there are many prospects with similar builds and better athleticism.
#Clemson TE Jake Briningstool continues to be a reliable target for QB Cade Klubnik and has a knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage.
Good speed for his size (6-6, 240) and is used both as an in-line player and flexed out WR. Has 7 catches, 104 yards and a TD catch. pic.twitter.com/amNWvSe1bW
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) October 12, 2024
Oronde Gadsden - Syracuse - 6’ 5” 243 lb. 33 3/8”
Recruited as a wide receiver, Gadsden transitioned to tight end as a sophomore in 20022 and blossomed. Interesting case, he’s been named First Team All-ACC in two of his four college seasons, but missed substantial time in the other two due to injury. Played in 26 games and nabbed 143 passes for 1994 yards and 14 scores.
Long and lanky build with plenty of room for added mass. His wingspan offers a stellar catch radius and he plucks the ball with big hands. He didn’t run at the combine, but looks to adequate buildup speed. Gadsden does have a better route tree than most tight ends and is smooth and fluid in all areas of the field. Does not appear to be particularly explosive and is not really crisp in-and-out of breaks or in change of direction. He does have a good feeling for finding soft areas in zone and using his body to shield out defenders. Not a strong blocker, but you can see improvement over the years.
Call him what you want, tight end or power slot, but Gadsden plays exactly to form, as a big wide receiver. As of today, he’s a niche fit for a spread out, pass-happy offense and could create mismatch problems for opponents. For most NFL teams, he needs much more play strength and blocking work. Two years is a very short time in converting to tight end, he’ll only be 22. There’s a need for continued development. Late 5th/early 6th grade.
Oronde Gadsden II is an athletic, fluid TE prospect.
He will likely be a big slot in the NFL, but he’s put on the weight to play inline. He boasts a monstrous 56% contested catch rate and a respectable 5% drop rate.
I expect a team to draft his unique talents early on day 3. pic.twitter.com/tmf5WO4JDI
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 18, 2025
Mitchell Evans - Notre Dame - 6’ 5” 258 lb. 31 7/8” 1.55/4.74
Three-star prospect that played quarterback and tight end in high school. Started in 25 of 45 games at tight end for the Irish. Played special teams all four years as well. Racked up 77 catches for 903 yards and three touchdowns.
Built like an NFL tight end. As an inline blocker, Evans shows good technique and physicality, he’s mostly consistent throwing a strong punch when blocking vertically and on angles. Does combos/climbs well and appears to have good awareness on loops. In open space, he doesn’t have the good feet and quick reaction to strike smaller defenders. As a receiver, e has reliable hands and alignment versatility. Although mostly a check down target in the Irish offense, he knows how to leverage his size to screen off defenders and is physical in completing contested catches on fades and wheels.
Solid, well-coached prospect. I have Evans graded in the mid 6th round. Players from top programs are normally safe choices later in the draft, even if not competing for an early NFL role. They are almost always touted high school recruits, are blessed with natural gifts, and have grown in a competitive atmosphere. With Evans, injuries have to be considered, missed big chunks of two season’s with a broken foot in 2022 and knee surgery in 2023.
Mitchell Evans #NFLDraft
Why the uppercut strike is favorable to the double jab...
- Jabs create more separation and defenders can shed easier
- Uppercuts freeze movement but keeps the defer tight and limits ease of shedding blocks pic.twitter.com/jBgLAyUqpq
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) March 2, 2025
Jackson Hawes - Georgia Tech - 6’ 5” 253 lb. 32 1/8” 1.56/4.82
After 1400+ offensive snaps at Yale, Hawes left the Ivy League for Georgia Tech and stepped into an identical role, blocking tight end. Started 28 of 41 games between the two stops. Totaled 51 receptions for 566 yards and six touchdowns. Named to the Senior Bowl, reports were that Hawes surprised scouts with his work catching the football.
Elite blocker in the class. Has a similar moves in both pass and run blocking. Patiently keeps his pads low, drops his hips to hinge and times the unhinge with his strike to jolt defenders. Has the short-space lateral agility and footwork to reach block, get into space, and strike on the move. Although he sustains his blocks well, added play strength will likely be needed vs. bigger, stronger pro’s. Hawes is not a detriment in the passing game, he has good hands, tracks well, and is a bullish runner after the fact. He just wasn’t a target in the Georgia Tech passing offense.
An old-school tight end, Hawes was a “blocking first” mauler for all his college career. He’s not a slug, his vertical and broad jump numbers show an explosive lower half and his 10-yard split compares to other faster forties. He’s been tasked with a role and embraced it. Early Round 6 grade.
CJ Dippre - Bama - 6’ 5” 256 lb. 32” 1.56/4.69
Turns 22 right after the draft. Started 13 of 25 games over two seasons at Maryland to begin his college career and then moved to Alabama for 24 starts in 27 games over the final pair. All told, he charted 65 catches for 882 yards and three touchdowns.
Nice combination of size and athleticism. Ran mostly short, simple routes and needs work on technique. Against man, he’s not sharp into and out of breaks, rounding off his cuts. Dippre does find the open areas in zone, gets ready and turned towards the QB, offering a big target. Adequate running after the catch, he’s got good long speed. full effort blocker, set a wide base in pass pro and clamps on well. Also a good run blocker, has the footwork and lateral agility to get around on reach blocks and strikes/sustains very well in space.
Went from a receiving slot tight end at Maryland to primarily inline blocking at ‘Bama. Well-rounded game. Pro Football Focus called Dippre a “true riser” after his Senior Bowl workouts and stellar NFL Scouting Combine testing. I will stay with a mid-Round 6 grade.
Jalin Conyers - Texas Tech - 6’ 4” 260 lb. 33 1/4” 1.62/4.74
Four-star quarterback recruit originally signed with Oklahoma and after a redshirt year, transferred to Arizona State for three seasons. The soon-to-be 23 year-old joined Texas Tech for a final season as a graduate transfer. Had a strong Shrine Bowl week and Combine.
Stocky, blocky build. Ex-basketball star, can really go get the football on contested catches, has the length, strong hands, solid hand/eye coordination and tracking abilities. Has good patience, vision and contact balance when running the ball. Good short area agility. Hit-and-miss blocker, sometimes very good, too often lackadaisical in effort.
One of the more interesting TE prospects to watch on film because of his combination of size, versatility and fluid move skills. Been lined up all over formations, wildcat, fullback, wing, slot, and wide as well as inline. He’s thrown passes, ran the ball and caught passes. His body has a soft look and needs a pro strength/conditioning program, but he’s sneaky athletic and knows how to leverage his length and girth. Late Round 6 grade.
TE Jalin Conyers is one of my favorite players in this class…. Tyler Warren ain’t the only TE to get direct snaps! Little wildcat here and even threw a TD pass! (HS QB as freshman/sophomore)
Tremendous size/athleticism combo at 6030 263lbs. Legit ball skills. YAC is wild. pic.twitter.com/xTGfaSsdCL
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) February 15, 2025
Luke Lachey - Iowa - 6’ 6” 251 lb. 32 1/8” arms
Father was an NFL All-Pro offensive lineman. Turns 24 in June. After a 2020 redshirt, Lachey went on to start in 23 of 40 games and missed most the 2023 with ankle surgery. He booked 74 receptions for 893 yards and four touch downs. Named to the Shrine Bowl.
Former high school wide receiver, plays in that style and has buildable traits. Although Lachey played in a run-based offense, his physicality and blocking skills need to be upgraded. Shows adequate technique in run blocking, but needs work on his core and overall play strength. His punch is touch slow and wide, keeping him from latching on. driving and sustaining. Not much film on pass blocking, Iowa put him into routes. Lachey has big, soft hands reliably catches away from his body. Good body control and wingspan to corral wayward throws.He has formational versatility and is athletic enough to get down the seams.
Has the prototypical NFL size, he’s a willing blocker but lacks the physical, aggresive play stye. I grade him on the cusp of being draftable, but NFL teams like these “receiver first”prospects to develop.
Luke Lachey is another well rounded TE in this class. Great catch radius and soft hands. Iowa TE’s are always well-coached and tough. Day 3 steal! #Browns pic.twitter.com/iaMY2luH8m
— Lance Reisland (Coach Riz) (@LanceReisland) March 5, 2025
Ben Yurosek - Georgia - 6’ 4” 242 lb. 33” arms
Put together two productive receiving seasons (91 catches for 1098 yards) at Stanford and was on the way to a third before being shut down in 2023 with a shoulder injury. Moved on to Georgia for his final season, where as part of a rotation, he made 15 catches for 185 yards.
One of the smaller 2025 prospects, but does have good length, athleticism and a competitive nature. Fluid movement and body control along with good hands and ball-tracking skills to make catches in coverage. Turns upfield to run smoothly after catch.. Has aligned all over the formation in two different offenses. Although he timed 4.64 at the Georgia Pro Day, that speed doesn’t show on film. He’s competitive as a blocker, has pretty good technique and gets his arms extended, but he needs strength work to latch on and move defenders. He is better in space where he use his footwork to get position and seal.
Another case of a prospect going from primarily a west coast receiver (Stanford) to a SEC blocker (Georgia). His early film showed potential as a receiving tight end, and while his blocking did show improvement at Georgia, overall his growth plane has been static since 2022. With the Bulldogs, played as part of a three-man rotation. Right on the edge of a draftable grade.
Is tight end a need? Why not a “blocking first” prospect?
It would be difficult to make a case that any out of this group could step in and be an upgrade to what the Rams currently have. They all do have, however, buildable traits that with polish and seasoning could provide some value. If the Rams are interested in a developmental “blocking first” prospect, there are three, CJ Dippre, Jackson Hawes, and/or Mitchell Evans, that readily fit the bill.
Since 2017, under Sean McVay, L.A has targeted tight ends on 18.3% (845/4588) of throws. Over those same eight seasons, tight ends have blocked on 3541 running plays, 43.6% of total plays (8133). Seeing as how the Rams have historically used their tight ends, plus blocking ability should be a strong consideration.
Need or not, L.A will likely add two, maybe three more tight ends for OTAs. Last year, the Rams kept six and then seven tight ends, three on the active roster until Tyler Higbee returned and four after that, along with two more on the practice squad.
Should the Rams identify later round developmental prospects or spend draft capital on one of the top candidates?