Where Will The Rams TE Land?
By: Tayyib Abu
Gerald Everett is a free agent this offseason. The big tight-end can test the market for the first time in his career. The number two man behind Tyler Higbee can now see if a team wants to promote him to starting tight-end. Higbee is now an experienced player in the NFL. He experienced the best season of his short career in 2020. The NFL is utilizing tight-ends much more in a multi-faceted role.
Everett is a strong catcher with good acceleration. He excels at running in-breaking routes and is a player developing quickly. As Everett broke out in Los Angeles, he probably caught the eye of several teams. Some teams need big, physical tight-ends who add a new element to their offense; Gerald Everett could be the next player to shine at the position. His on-the-cap valuation is around $7 million; he is very affordable. Its time to examine which teams could want to bring him in before the 2021 season.
Carolina Panthers
It is almost sure that the Carolina Panthers will start a new quarterback this fall. Carolina wanted Matthew Stafford from Detroit; they narrowly missed out but, the Panthers are still looking. Carolina is definitely in the mix for Deshaun Watson, or the team could draft a quarterback.
All quarterbacks require a safety blanket tight-end. Everett was that for Jared Goff; he can be that for the next guy in Carolina. The Panthers’ tight-end cupboard is bare. Ian Thomas is a place holder, and he isn’t a starter in the NFL. Everett posted over 400 yards receiving last season as the backup tight-end.
He would arrive in Carolina used to playing with a team that wants to run the ball. Everett saw plenty of action out of two tight-end sets in Los Angeles; he did that in both the passing and running games.
That is important for Carolina as they will want to run the ball with returning running-back Christian McCaffery. With Bridgewater or a rookie quarterback, Everett is a smart fit for what Carolina wants to do.
Everett is a strong route runner when lined up in the bunch or spread out and play like a receiver. He owns experience as a blocker form his time in LA, which is another crucial ingredient that Carolina needs.
Washington Football Team
The Football Team are another franchise that could do with a tight-end. The team battled to a 7-9 record that saw them win the NFC East. With their rivals in disarray, Washington can build on the division win by adding Everett. Scott Turner is the son of Norv Turner. He was the coordinator when Greg Olsen put up a monster season in 2015.
His son Scott will surely know how to use Everett. Washington is similar to Carolina in that they want to run the ball as much as possible. That plays into Everett’s strengths. If Alex Smith returns as the starter, that will suit Everett. Smith is a dink-and-dunk passer at this stage of his career.
Dink-and-dunk passers need good YAC receivers. Everett averaged 5.9 yards YAC in 2020, which is more than good enough for what Alex Smith wants from his playmakers. Adding Everett to a team that boasts Terry Mclaurin and Cam Sims creates more problems for defenses.
All three are excellent YAC receivers that can generate more pressure on opposing defenses. Misdirection is something Washington will do more of in 2021; Everett will play well in that type of offense. He is versatile enough to do that.
Minnesota Vikings
Unless your name is Tom Brady, Father Time will defeat you. Kyle Rudolph is slowly succumbing to that ticking clock that ends 99% of players’ careers. If Kirk Cousins is still the man in Minnesota, Mike Zimmer must get him a reliable, young tight-end. Similarly to the teams above, Minnesota wants to run the ball.
In Dalvin Cook, the Vikes possess a superstar running back. They need to open up lanes for him continually. Everett can do that alongside sophomore Irv Smith, while the team can relegate the veteran Rudolph to third on the depth chart and use him only in goal line or jumbo personnel.
Everett’s smart route running can get schemed up on heavy play-action to create open windows for Cousins. The veteran quarterback is not Matthew Stafford, who can rifle the ball in a tight window; Cousins requires available targets.
Everett has quick release at the line of scrimmage; he can beat linebackers in coverage and get to the catch point. New coordinator Clint Kubiak’s dad Gary had Owen Daniels the year Denver won the Super Bowl; Everett owns several traits that Daniels possessed. He is younger, quicker and ready to leap to the next level. He is a fantastic fit for Minnesota.
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