Colby Parkinson may be exactly what the Rams need in the red zone in year two
The Los Angeles Rams have sneakily built one of the best tight end rooms in the NFL after adding rookie Terrance Ferguson with their first pick in this year’s draft. The most intriguing piece of their tight end room isn’t their newest talent, however.
After speculation that he may get traded or cut this offseason to make cap space, Colby Parkinson remains on the roster and one would have to assume a part of the plan this season. It was announced this week that he will be partaking in Tight End University, a program founded originally in 2021 by Travis Kelce, Greg Olsen, and George Kittle. Notably, Rams most veteran tight end, Tyler Higbee, will not be partaking in the organizations activities.
Tight End University — founded by George Kittle, Travis Kelce, and Greg Olsen — is back for its fifth year this week.
Here’s the full list of tight ends attending the event: pic.twitter.com/cF76wDLyRr
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 23, 2025
Parkinson left a lot to be desired last season after being picked up during free agency in 2024 and signed to a $30 million deal over the course of 3 years. With Higbee nursing an injury for most of the year the former Seattle Seahawk was only able to compile 294 yards receiving despite having the most targets of his career (49). He also finished with just one touchdown despite being brought in as a 6′ 7” red zone threat to fix some of LA’s issues on that side of the field.
Touchdown Colby Parkinson!
LA Rams 28-13 New England Patriots— Sport News & Updates (@roger21footy) November 17, 2024
Even after a lackluster performance in 2024, a season that should have been career highs across the board for Parkinson, he remains on the roster and ready to (hopefully) take the next step in the Rams offense.
What does that next step look like?
Parkinson is the tallest pass catcher that the Rams currently have, making him one of their most dangerous targets in the red zone. He might not be the teams every down tight end, a role that will likely be shared by Higbee and Ferguson, but there is a specific niche he can fill when the field begins to get shorter. The Rams ranked 25th in red zone percentage, scoring just 51.39% within the 20-yard line. Keeping Parkinson is a conservative effort to make sure they improve in this area of the field.
Parkinson won’t have the most targets or set any records, but he can provide mismatches in the end zone for Stafford to take advantage of, even if he is just a distraction to get other receivers open. That’s what makes him worth a roster spot and an intriguing player to watch this season.
And who knows, a week at Tight End University could be just the thing he needs to take on a bigger role in 2025.
