The Emergence of Gerald Everett

Ed "Pi Double i" Henderson

WorldWide Rams

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​In the 2017 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams entered that draft without a first-round pick. Just before the 2016 NFL Draft, they traded away that draft pick to the Tennessee Titans as they selected quarterback Jared Goff number one overall. New head coach Sean McVay started his first NFL draft with a third-round pick. The Rams were on the clock and out comes the selection, "With the 44th pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams selects, Gerald Everett, tight-end, South Alabama." 

After the announcement of the selection, everyone were practically saying, “who!” However, the new young McVay and General Manager Les Snead were excited about the choice. Many of the Ram fans never heard of Everett or better yet of South Alabama. However, as the draft analyst continued to show his highlight film, some seemed to quiet the doubts. Despite playing for a Division I-FBS program, his speed for his position would translate well to the NFL.

Everett's NFL day-view, he caught his first reception from Jared Goff for 39 yards against the Indianapolis Colts at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The next game against the Washington Redskins, he caught three passes for 95 yards but sustained an injury to his thigh. Everett would be slowed down by his injury but scored his first NFL touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Everett finished his rookie season with 16 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns.

In his second season, Everett had been slowed down with a shoulder injury that he suffered during the pre-season. Only with three reception in his first three games, many wondered was he playing hurt, or was he not being productive. As it turned out, the tight ends were almost inexistence in the Rams offense. They were targeted the least by the quarterback during that first quad-season schedule. 

In week five against the Seattle Seahawks, Everett caught three passes for 24-yards as his targets were increased to his direction. In a game against the Green Bay Packers, he only had one reception for 22 yards. Everett caught a pass on a third down and long, broke a couple of tackles to sprint down the sideline for a first down. However, nullified by a holding penalty, the play was brought. However, you definitely could see the elusiveness and speed of Everett, is why McVay drafted him so high.

In the week to follow, the Rams faced off against the New Orleans Saints, as Everett's target increased while catching three passes for 48 yards. No pass was far spectacular than the two-point conversion he hauled in to tie up the game. Everett caught the quick pass from Goff and dove across the goal line. The Rams resiliency allowed them to battle back from a 21 point deficit in the second half. The Rams would go on to lose the game late to the Saints 45-35.

​Last week game against the Seahawks, Everett caught his first touchdown of the season. However, his fellowed tightend Tyler Higbee would also grab a score in that same game. That marked the first time since the 2013 season as Lance Kendricks and Corey Harkey both accomplished the fate. 

McVay game plan as of late seemed to have the tight ends active the last couple of weeks. Both Everett and Higbee have been looked at by Goff and has made the defenses to start paying attention. Everett currently have one less reception this season with 15 than he had last season. He also only has 161 yards receiving with one touchdown. 

However, look for those numbers to increase these last several games. Rams will look to finish these last six games on a surge and will keep the defenses honest. The young Everett is looking like that weapon he once was when he was shredding up the competition while playing at South Alabama. The Jordan Reed comparison talks will once again start to surface if he finishes with strong numbers.

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