Next Up Rookie Tight End: Gerald Everett

Ed "Pi Double i" Henderson

WorldWide Rams

​The Los Angeles Rams rookie tight-end Gerald Everett has been just about everything as expected since being drafted 44th overall of the 2017 NFL Draft. Everett listed at 6'3", 245lbs, is hoping to be a matchup nightmare against the league defenders.

Entering the draft, head coach Sean McVay stated he had his eye on Everett because he was talented as Jordan Reed, the tight-end he coached while with the Washington Redskins. Yes, he spoke highly of the young rookie’s talent, because when Reed was healthy, he is a pro-bowler. 

The Rams front office made some necessary roster moves once the free agency market opened up. The Rams needed to clear some players for cap space, as they released veteran tight-end Lance Kendricks. Kendricks would sign with his hometown team the Green Bay Packers in which the Rams will see this upcoming Thursday night.

Everett played college football at South Alabama, where he was able to force 24 missed tackles in the 2016 season alone, an FBS record. Playing as an undersized tight end, Everett gave up only one sack and zero quarterback hits of 125 total pass-blocking downs between the 2014 and 2016 seasons. His two seasons at South Alabama, he recorded 90 receptions for 1,292 yards, 14.3 yards per catch, and 12 touchdowns.

Everett entered the Rams camp as the fourth tight end on the depth chart, which already has the likes of Tyler Higbee, Temarick Hemingway, and Corey Harkey already on the roster. Everett immediately was promoted to alternate with the number two tight end, early in camp. The Rams depth chart has him listed at the number two tight end, solely after losing Hemingway to an injury last week against the San Diego Chargers.

Everett saw his first NFL action against the Dallas Cowboys in the first pre-season game, where he was targeted three times catching two for 13 yards. 

Week two, Everett caught all four of his targets, including a play where he lined up at fullback, came out the backfield and shook a defender, something he has a knack for doing. (Video footage below.) 

Gerald Everett at full back, shakes linebacker for 24 yds.

Everett had four catches for 30 yards which was not much; however, his one reception for 24 yards, showed absolutely how talented this kid could be for years to come. 

Everett will need to practice a bit more on his pass blocking techniques, especially when he has the reigning 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack over him. Everett had about all he could handle with Mack, as Mack used his veteran skills to get by and sacked quarterback Jared Goff. It would be the only quarterback sack given for the night, but Everett was out-matched on that play. (Video footage below). It is a learning curve for him, and with further coaching, proper technique, Mack will have to earn getting passing Everett shortly, because this was early stages of the season.

Khalil Mack sacks Jared Goff

​​Week three of the preseason, Rams played against the San Diego Chargers; where Everett would only have two receptions for six yards. He would be targeted a few times in the red zone, but twice underthrown as the defenders made a great play on the ball.

I am expecting Everett to find the end zone Thursday night against the Packers. Rookie receivers Josh Reynolds and Cooper Kupp both have two touchdowns each. Expect the second round selection Everett to find the end zone against the Packers. Hemingway injury will open up his chances this week, and we do believe he will get in the end zone with two touchdown receptions.

Early in the minicamps, Everett commenting on Tyler Higbee and himself:

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"I feel like we could be better than the Redskins tight ends if I can say that.”

​Catching McVay off guard, he would respond to the rookie comments: 

“What I’ll tell Gerald is I can appreciate your confidence, but when you talk about those types of players those guys are the standard for the position. We haven’t even played a preseason snap yet, my man. We’re very confident in Gerald, and I can appreciate his confidence. I’ll tell you this if they are better than those guys we’ll be in good shape the year.”

​In my opinion, I believe the rookie's vision and as many others know that he will be something special and a dying sight to watch on the field.

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