The Denver Broncos added Evan Engram in free agency and even a developmental tight end in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. But there is still a need to find a good backup to Engram who can contribute immediately.
This trade idea has the Broncos sending a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for veteran tight end Tyler Higbee. The Rams' tight end is 32 years old and coming off an injured season, during which he missed the first 15 weeks of the year due to injury.
But after returning to the lineup for the Rams, Higbee was a solid role player for an offense that nearly beat the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. In the Rams' playoff game in the snow, Higbee had seven receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown.
Higbee played in just five games for the Rams in 2024 and was a solid contributor. He had 20 receptions for 178 yards and three touchdowns in five games, including the playoffs.
In his nine-year NFL career, Higbee has 3,668 receiving yards, 24 touchdowns, and 361 receptions. Since 2017, the second year in the NFL for Higbee, He's started every game he's played in for the Rams. Higbee has 119 starts across 128 games, with each non-start coming in his rookie year.
The Rams would be open to trading Higbee since he's in the final year of his contract. If traded, Higbee would save the Rams over $4 million in cap space. The Rams also spent their first pick of the 2025 draft on Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson.
With Higbee on the Broncos roster, he would complement Engram as a great second tight end. Higbee can be a receiver and a blocker in the run and pass game.
Adding Higbee, a tight end who can block, behind Engram is the perfect one-two punch at tight end for the Broncos. As the veteran is in the final year of his deal, Higbee could be traded for without giving up significant value.
