Rams 'Overpaid' Tyler Higbee a Top 10 TE? 'Probably Not!'

Despite a productive season in 2022, does it make sense for Tyler Higbee to be deemed the Los Angeles Rams' most overpaid player?

There is no denying that the top receiving option on the Los Angeles Rams, when healthy, is Cooper Kupp. However, behind Kupp is tight end Tyler Higbee, a reliable target on offense for quarterback Matthew Stafford to work with. 

Last season, Higbee was second on the Rams in receptions (72), finished second on the team in receiving yards (620) and tied for second in touchdown receptions (three). Despite his solid production, though, YardBarker named him the most overpaid player on the Rams. 

"This is a case of a good player having what might be a bad contract. There is nothing wrong with Higbee as a receiving option," YardBarker writes. "He will haul in 50-60 passes for 600-700 yards and score a couple of touchdowns. Fine player."

"But he makes more than $9M per season and has the ninth-highest salary cap hit among tight ends in the league. Is he a top-10 tight end? Probably not."

While YardBarker might have a point regarding Higbee's contract, his numbers from last season show that he is a near lock to be considered a top-10 tight ends in the league based on the overall lack of depth at the position.

His 620 receiving yards saw him finish ninth amongst tight ends in receiving yards, only eight yards behind David Njoku of the Cleveland Browns. Furthermore, his 72 receptions were fifth at the position, and just one short of a three-way tie for third at 73 with Mark Andrews and Evan Engram. 

Perhaps Higbee could earn less compared to other players, but he is set to only make $9.1 million in 2023. In 2024, that number drops down to $2.85 million. For a tight end that has shown he can be a reliable second option behind Kupp, Higbee has more than earned his current contract. 

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You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

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