The NFL trade deadline is approaching quickly, and it’s anyone’s guess as to how active the Los Angeles Rams will be. Tight end has been a weakness for the offense all season, and one outlet has proposed the Rams trade for Ravens TE Mark Andrews to fix it.
Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News named the best trade deadline deal for all 32 teams, and this is what he had to say about Andrews to the Rams:
“The Rams just got a big receiving game from Terrance Ferguson in London as they adjusted to more two-tight-end
sets with Puka Nacua out with injury. But they need another difference maker to help play off a healthy Nacua and Adams through the end zone. This would be the latest big-name veteran swing for GM Les Snead.”
Another player Iyer had to watch for the Rams at the deadline was Titans TE Chigoziem Okonkwo, who I’m sure would probably appreciate escaping that sinking ship in Tennessee.
Simply put, the Rams need another playmaker outside of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. L.A. hasn’t gotten much production from its tights ends this season. Between Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen, Colby Parkinson and Terrance Ferguson, they have combined for 30 receptions for 290 yards and 4 touchdowns on 43 targets, per Pro Football Reference.
Here is the full target distribution for the TE corps:
Andrews has nearly matched the production of those four players combined, despite being in a worse spot due to the Ravens’ quarterback situation without Lamar Jackson. The veteran has 21 receptions for 174 yards and 2 touchdowns on 27 targets. This is after a season in which he caught 11 touchdowns in 17 games.
While Andrews is no longer the big play target that he was for much of his early career in Baltimore, he would instantly be an upgrade over what the Rams have currently. Plus, another target for Matthew Stafford to throw to? Sign me up! Passing to just two players repeatedly will not be sustainable as the season continues. Los Angeles caught a break that Nacua’s injury wasn’t more serious than it was, but that shouldn’t prevent the front office from making a blockbuster move.
If this team wants to contend for a championship in a wide-open NFC, this is a trade that must be made. Send over any of the Rams’ TEs aside from Ferguson as part of the trade package—it’s not like the offense has any use for them anyway.
