Rams' Lance Kendricks: Could lock down key role

Kendricks has a shot to become the Rams' primary pass-catching tight end, ESPN.com reports.

Analysis:

The Rams signed Kendricks to a four-year, $18.5 million contract in March of 2015, oddly giving borderline starter money to their No. 2 tight end. The franchise presumably viewed Kendricks as the heir apparent to Jared Cook, who was released this past offseason after a disappointing stint in St. Louis. While not in Cook's class as a pure athlete, Kendricks is a superior blocker and quite possibly a more reliable all-around tight end. However, he may have to fend off fourth-round rookie Tyler Higbee (knee/legal), who caught five passes for 49 yards in the Rams' preseason opener. Kendricks is still the favorite to enter Week 1 as the starter, but he'll have a tough time putting up consistent numbers in a run-first St. Louis offense.