The Los Angeles Rams run a very consolidated offense. They funnel touches through their main offensive weapons, leaving scraps for everyone else. Once upon a time, tight end Tyler Higbee was included in that group. Could he emerge as a viable fantasy football asset once again?
Tyler Higbee Fantasy Outlook
That legendary stretch of games Higbee had feels so long ago. It’s been six years since Higbee was a league-winner, scoring at least 18.6 fantasy points in the Rams’ finals five games of the season.
It’s impressive how Higbee’s fantasy value has somehow lived on, stemming from what really amounts to five games as an elite TE1. He’s never reached double-digit fantasy points per game, peaking at 9.8 in 2021 (outside of the 2019 season).
Higbee only played in three games last season as he returned from a late-season 2023 ACL tear. But in those three games, Higbee still looked like the viable TE2/streamer he’s been for most of his career. He averaged 8.9 PPG.
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This year, things will be a bit different. The Rams still have their two elite wide receivers, except with Davante Adams replacing Cooper Kupp to run alongside Puka Nacua. But Higbee is no lock to be the TE1 with the Rams spending a second-round pick on Terrance Ferguson.
Ferguson is the long-term plan at tight end. However, despite what Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers might have us believe, tight ends don’t always hit the ground running as rookies. Higbee should still open the season as the starter, and he could hold onto that job the whole way. But if he falters or misses time, the door is wide open for Ferguson to take his job.
In his last full season, Higbee only earned a 14.2% target share. That number was at 13.8% in his three games played last season.
Tyler Higbee enters his 10th season as Rams TE. My how time has flown by!
Stafford & Higbee have had a good connection from game 1 against Chicago in 2021 to the present
Higs will be joined by rookie TE Ferguson in what looks to be a very formidable group of pass catchers pic.twitter.com/oMRSm6kIcI
— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) July 2, 2025
There’s minimal upside when it comes to Higbee. You’re hoping for a few receptions and a touchdown, which is pretty much every non-difference-making tight end.
Higbee’s ADP is TE37. He’s nowhere close to being drafted. The rookie is going ahead of him at TE31. You’re not even considering Higbee in drafts. But do keep an eye on his usage early in the season. If he’s playing well ahead of Ferguson, the veteran could find his way onto the streaming radar.
Dan Fornek’s Tyler Higbee Projection
Tyler Higbee missed most of the 2024 season recovering from a torn ACL, but was able to return for the final three games of the regular season. His production over those three games was modest (12 targets, eight receptions, 66 yards, and two touchdowns) before the team leaned on him heavily during their playoff run.
In two playoff games, Higbee caught 12 of 15 targets for 112 yards and a touchdown. The veteran tight end was still working himself into shape, but proved just how important he is to the Rams’ offense as a tertiary option to Nacua and Kupp in the passing attack.
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Kupp is no longer with the team, but the Rams replaced him with a veteran upgrade (Davante Adams). The team also drafted Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Ferguson was a dynamic pass catcher during his collegiate career, but it will take time for him to unseat Higbee from his role in the Rams’ passing attack.
Higbee’s role has historically been more critical for real football than fantasy football in his career. He has just one career season with double-digit fantasy points scored (2019). The addition of Adams, combined with the back injury to Matthew Stafford, makes him a tight end worth fading in fantasy drafts to start the season.
