The first practice of Rams 2017 Training Camp presented by AT&T may not be until Saturday afternoon, but yesterday marked the unofficial start for the rookies. All 21 of the Rams rookies and three quarterbacks reported for move-in on Wednesday afternoon, including 44th overall pick tight end Gerald Everett.
When the Rams drafted Everett out of South Alabama, some may have thought it was a bit of a reach. But, Everett entered camp with high expectations — ready to dive into former Redskins' offensive coordinator and current head coach Sean McVay's tight end-friendly offense, alongside second-year TE Tyler Higbee.
"Tyler and I spent a lot of time [together], especially this offseason in the summer. I think we complement each other very well," Everett said. "Tyler is more of a big body tight end, so I feel like we can be better than the Redskins tight ends."
Better than Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis? Seems like a pretty lofty claim coming from a rookie. But Everett remained confident in his and Higbee's playmaking abilities, and lookesl forward to thriving as a tight end duo.
"I would say that we are bonding pretty good," Everett said. "We workout every day, we usually spend about three to four hours together in the morning. I am really excited to be able to throw the ball in our offense and get back to the playoffs."
Under McVay's instruction, the Redskins threw to the tight end position over 130 times every year from 2014 to 2016. If the Rams hope to live up to match or even exceed that production, it will take more than just the tight end position. Training camp should provide Everett and Higbee the needed time and space to build up chemistry with second year QB Jared Goff as dynamic receiving targets.
"Jared is a great guy on and off the field and he has definitely helped me learn the playbook and the systematics and schemes of everything," Everett said. "He is a great quarterback and this year is really going to be a 'show me year' along with Todd [Gurley], Tyler, and myself."