Brycen Hopkins, Sean McKeon, Mitchell Wilcox Visit With Patriots
The New England Patriots quietly brought in free-agent tight ends Brycen Hopkins, Sean McKeon and Mitchell Wilcox in for workouts late last week, which could reflect on their desire to add another layer to the tight end depth chart of Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper and La'Michael Pettway. Hopkins has only 13 receptions on 19 targets for 196 yards and no touchdowns in his four NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. McKeon ended the 2023 season on Injured Reserve due to an ankle injury and has only six catches on 11 targets for 38 yards and one touchdown in his four NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Wilcox has 29 catches on 35 targets for 211 yards and one touchdowns in his three years with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Los Angeles Rams tight end Brycen Hopkins led the team in receiving during their 21-20 Week 18 win against the San Francisco 49ers. Hopkins caught two of his three targets for 47 yards through the air. He and Davis Allen both saw some action with starting tight end Tyler Higbee (shoulder) out. The fourth-year player caught just three passes through the first 17 weeks but was allowed to showcase what he can do with starters resting. While Higbee may be on the injury report once again this week, Hopkins should not be considered in lineups against the Detroit Lions.
Brycen Hopkins Has Been Bright Spot At Training Camp
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Thursday that tight end Brycen Hopkins has been a bright spot at training camp so far. Hopkins, the Rams' fourth-round pick in 2020 out of Purdue, caught just seven of 11 targets for 109 yards and no touchdowns in 14 games (one start) behind Tyler Higbee in his third NFL season in 2022. The 26-year-old is still behind Higbee on the tight end depth chart in Los Angeles, but he's making strides heading into his fourth season and could take on a bigger role in a Rams offense that could use some pass-catchers to step up behind All-Pro wideout Cooper Kupp. However, Hopkins won't be on the fantasy radar unless Higbee misses time with an injury in 2023.
It was Los Angeles Rams tight end Brycen Hopkins, not Kendall Blanton, who stepped up in Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday with Tyler Higbee (knee) inactive. Hopkins secured all four of his targets for 47 yards in the 23-20 win. Blanton appeared to be dealing with an injury shoulder and was wearing a harness on the sidelines. The 24-year-old Hopkins came out of nowhere, as he had just one catch for nine yards in the last two seasons combined for the Rams. After Odell Beckham Jr. (knee) was injured in the first half, LA was desperate for pass-catchers outside of Cooper Kupp, and Hopkins was able to step up. Despite the nice performance on the biggest stage, Hopkins is unlikely to suddenly become fantasy relevant next season.
Rams Add More Depth at Tight End With Brycen Hopkins
The Los Angeles Rams have selected Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins with the No. 136 pick during the fourth round. It's a bit of a questionable decision for the Rams to add another young tight end with Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett on the roster. Nonetheless, Hopkins has quickness with great separation and isn't too bad when it comes to blocking. He hauled in 61 receptions for 830 yards and seven touchdowns during 11 games in 2019. It'll be interesting to see how the Rams split up their playing time between the three tight ends, but it's safe to say that Hopkins won't be fantasy relevant in 2020.
