Teams Can No Longer Sleep On Gerald Everett

Ed "Pi Double i" Henderson

WorldWide Rams

​Before the 2017 NFL Draft, no one heard of Gerald Everett or even better yet of South Alabama. However, as the draft analyst continued to show Everett's highlight film, the more enlightened you were of his skill level.
 
He played for a Division I-FBS program, that where his speed and athleticism was primal for his position that would translate well to the NFL. The 6'3" 245lbs Everett climbed up the draft board after his excellent performance at the 2017 NFL Combine. Without having a first-round draft selection, the Los Angeles Rams used their first selection of the second round on Everett. 

Gerald Everett 2017 NFL Combine

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Everett's transition into the NFL had slightly been slowed down with injuries, a thigh injury his rookie season, and a shoulder he suffered during this pre-season this season. With only three reception in his first three games, many wondered if he was playing hurt, or being counterproductive. 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. 

Everett became much more involved in the Rams offense against the Seattle Seahawks, that produced his first touchdown of the season. The young Everett now started to look like that weapon he once was expected to become. While playing at South Alabama, he was shredding up the competition for the Jaguars offense.

Last Monday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Everett's talent carried right over into the epic battle that the Rams had facing the Kansas City Chiefs. On this night, Everett was electric while having his first multi-touchdown catches in his young playing career. 

​Everett caught to fourth-quarter touchdowns from Jared Goff of seven and 40 yards. However, none were far better than the second of his touchdowns a spectacular 40-yard catch that he tiptoed up the sideline to stay in bounds (see photos below).

Everett's second touchdown would turn out to become the game-winner for the Rams as they defeated the Chiefs 54-51 before a crowd over 77,000 loud fans. Everett was the hero on this night, as he sprinted right past Chief's safety Daniel Sorenson, to haul in the pass from Goff. 

Everett has peaked at the right point of the season, as defensive coordinators try to develop schemes designed to stop Todd Gurley, Robert Woods, and Brandin Cooks. With an injury to receiver Cooper Kupp and the productivity of Josh Reynolds, they now need to remain honest with coverages as Everett can now factor into their problems.

Have to say, the remaining five games favor the Rams with an easy schedule. However, they have to go to Ford Field and Soldier field to beat the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears. They'll come home to play a Philadelphia Eagles who's been disappointing this season but can't take them lightly. On to Arizona to face the Cardinals and to meet the season finally against the San Franciso 49ers.

Both the Lions and Bears defenses have defenses that can create pressure and have impact pass rushers. These two critical games can be great for Everett as he'll be able to expose the aggressiveness of these defenses with his flexibility, athleticism and the ability to stretch the field. 

We like to see Everett's final statistics as he already has a career high in receptions and touchdowns. He needs 34 yards to surpass his total from his rookie season, as that will an available number to reach. Congratulations once again to the young Gerald Everett as he will become a star in this league for years to come.

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